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CORRESPONDENCE 


BETWEEN 


THE   PKESIDENT 


AND 


GENERAL  JOSEPH.  E,  JOHNSTON, 


TOGETHER    WITH    THAT    OF 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  AVAR  AND  THE  ADJUTANT  AND 
INSPECTOR  GENERAL, 


DURING  THE  MONTHS  OF  MAY,  JUNE  AND  JULY,  1863. 


PUBLISHED  BY  ORDER  OF  CONGRESS. 


RICHMOND: 
B.  M.  SMITH,   PTJBUO   PRINTER. 

1864. 


*: 


MESSAGE  OF  THE  PRESIDENT. 

Richmond,  Va.,  January  29,  1864. 
To  the  House  of  Representatives  : 

In  response  to  your  resolution  of  the  1 1th  ultimo,  I  herewith  trans- 
mit for  your  information  a  copy  of  my  correspondence,  together  with 
that  of  the  Secretary  of  War  and  of  the  Adjutant  and  Inspector 
General,  with  General  Joseph  E.  Johnston,  during  the  months  of 
May,  June,  and  July,  1863,  concerning  his  command  and  the  opera- 
tions in  his  department." 

As  the  resolution  fixes  definitely  the  dates  within  which  the  corres- 
pondence is  desired,  I  have  not  deemed  it  proper  to  add  anything 
which  was  prior  or  subsequent  to  those  dates. 

JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


CORRESPONDENCE 


THE  PRESIDENT  AND  GEN.  JOHNSTON. 


TELEGRAM. 


Richmond,  Va.,  May  6,  1863. 
Gen.  J.  E.  Johnston,  Tullahoma,  Tenn. : 

How  and  why  was  Brigadier  General  Martin  withdrawn  from  Mis- 
sissippi, for  service  with  the  cavalry  of  which  he  was  appointed  ? 

(Signed)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


TELEGRAM. 

Tullahoma,  Tenn.,  May  7,  1863. 
His  Excellency,  the  President : 

Brigadier  General  Martin  was  assigned  to  Van  Dorn's  cavalry, 
which  was  ordered  to  this  department  in  January.  He  is  not  now 
with  Van  Dorn,  who  is  in  front  of  Columbia.  He  commands  tho  cav- 
alry directly  between  this  army  and  Murfreosboro.' 

(Signed.)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


TELEGRAM  IN  OYPHBE. 

Richmond,  May  18,  1863. 
General  Joseph  B.  Johnston, 

Headquarters,  via  Jackson,  Miss.: 
Have  seen  your  despatch  of  this  date.  The  cavalry  mentioned 
cannot  reach  you  before  weeks.  Other  larger  and  more  practised 
cavalry  I  had  hoped  could  be  drawn  to  you  from  another  part  of  your 
department,  as  suggested  in  telegram  some  time  since.  Several  of 
tho  be^t  infantry  regiments,  if  wanted,  might  serve  as  substitute  for 


6 

the  cavalry  so  much  and  immediately  required.  I  hope  you  will  have 
larger  accessions  to  your  army,  when  advancing  to  attack,  by  the 
junction  of  militia  and  less  organized  bodies  of  citizens.  Your  pres- 
ence will  effect  much  to  inspire  confidence  and  activity. 

The  enemy  will  probably  seek  to  jr.in  his  fleet  at  Warrenton,  draw 
the  remaining  forces  from  the  camp  above  Young's  Point,  and  prepare 
for  land  and  water  attack  on  the  defences  of  Vicksburg.  If  you  could 
unite  with  Pembertcn,  and  attack  the  enemy  in  his  retrograde  move- 
ment towards  the  river,  the  chances  would  be  much  better.  Every 
effort  will  be  made  to  aid  you,  and  I  desire  to  know  fully  your  wishes, 
(Signed)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


TELEGRAM. 

Canton,  May  21,  18G3. 
To  his  Excellency,  the  President : 

There  is  a  divison  without  a  Major  General,  the  only  officer  compe- 
tent to  command  it  being  General  VV.  II.  T.  Walker;*  (he)  is  the  junior 
Brigadier.  Please  appoint  immediately.  Another  will  be  wanted  for 
coming  troops.  I  recommend  Brig.  Gen.  Wilcox.*  These  officers  are 
indispensable. 

(Signed)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


TELEGRAM. 

Camp  near  Canton,  via  Jackson,  May  21,  1863. 
To  the  President : 

Your  dispatch  of  the  18th  received,  but  cannot  be  decyphered.  On 
account  of  heavy  loss  of  artillery,  we  want  field-pieces,  with  harness 
itnd  ammunition.  Troops  coming  from  the  east  are  generally  without 
irtillery. 

(Signed)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


COPY  OF  TELEGRAM. 

Richmond,  Va*,  May  22,  1863, 
General  Jos.  E.  Johnston,  via  Jackson,  Miss. : 

Brigadier  General  John  S.  Bowen  is  appointed  Major  General  to 
meet  the  want  specified  in  your  dispatch.  General  Loring  becomes 
Available  for  assignment  to  the  division  you  designate.     Field  batte- 

*  These  names,   in  the  original  dispatch  received,    appeared  a9  "  General  W.  H. 
Taliaferro,"  and  "  Brigadier  General  Wilson." 


ries  and  small  arras  are  on  the  way  to  your  command.  Signal  cypher 
was  employed.  If  you  have  the  book  formerly  used  by  us,  will  resort 
to  that. 

(Signed)  JEFFERSON  DAVlS. 


COPY  OF  TELEGRAM. 

Richmond,  May  22,  1863. 
General  Bragg,  Tullahoma,  Ihtn.  : 

The  vital  issue  of  holding  the  Mississippi  at  Vicksburg  is  dependent 
on  the  success  of  General  Johnston  in  an  attack  on  the  investing 
force.  The  intelligence  from  there  is  discouraging.  Can  you  aid 
him  ?  If  so,  and  you  are  without  orders  from  General  Johnston,  act 
on  your  judgment. 

(Signed)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


TELEGRAM. 

Richmond,  May  22,  1863. 
General  Jos.  E.  Johnston,  via  Jackson,  Miss. : 

I  do  not  understand  recommendation  for  promotion  of  Brigadier 
General  Wilson,  in  your  despatch  of  21st. 

(Signed)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


TELEGRAM. 

Jackson,  Miss.,  May  23,  1863. 
His  Excellency,  the  President. : 

It  was  Brigadier  General  Cadmus  Wilcox  that  I  recommended. 
Major  General  Loring  is  commanding  his  own  division.  Brigadier 
General  Bowen  commands  a  division  of  the  troops  invested  in  Vicks- 
burg. The  division  I  mentioned  has  no  officer  in  it  competent  to  com- 
mand but  Brigadier  General  W.  II.  T.  Walker.  It  must  be  without 
a  commander  until  a  Major  General  is  appointed  for  or  assigned  to  it. 

We  have  tremendous  odds  against  us.  I  respectfully  urge,  there- 
fore, thorough  organization. 

I  ceased  to  carry  the  book  referred  to  upon  being  informed  that  the 
:opy  was  not  retained  in  your  office. 

The  enemy's  gunboats  have  possession  of  the  Yazoo. 

(Signed)  J.  B.  JOHNSTON. 


TELEGRAM, 

Shelbyville,  Tenn.,  May  23,  1863. 
Jefferson  Davis,  President : 

Sent  thirty-five  hundred  (3,500)  with  the  General,  three  (3)  batte- 
ries of  artillery  and  two  thousand  (2,000)  cavalry  since;  will  despatch 
six  thousand  (6,000)  more  immediately.  Have  no  orders.  The  Gen- 
eral did  not  consider  it  safe  to  weaken  this  point. 

(Signed)  BRAXTON  BRAGG. 


TELEGRAM. 

Richmond,  Va.,  May  23,  1863. 
General  B.  Bragg,  commanding,  fyc,  Shelbyville,  Tenn. : 

Your  answer  is  in  the  spirit  of  patriotism  heretofore  manifested  by 
you.     The  need  is  sore,  but  you  must  not  forget  your  own  necessities.. 
(Signed)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


TELEGRAM. 

Richmond,  Va.,  May  23,  1863. 
To  General  J.  E.  Johnston,  via  Canton,  Miss.  : 

Your  first  dispatch  was  so  changed  as  to  present  the  names  of  W» 
H.  Taliaferro  and  Wilson — both  supposed  to  be  errors.  Bowen  was 
appointed  supposing  him  to  be  with  Loring.  Since  your  dispatch  re- 
ceived to-day,  gave  order  to  appoint  Walker  Major  General.  Am 
making  every  effort  to  aid  you.  and  hopeful  of  junction  of  your  forces 
and  defeat  of  the  enemy. 

(Signed)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


TELEGRAM. 

Jackson,  Miss.,  May  23,  1863. 
lb  his  Excellency,  the  President : 

Troops  are  coming  very  slowly.  The  last  of  Bragg's  arrived  on 
Tuesday  ;  since  then  but  three  hundred  have  arrived,  and  thirteen 
hundred  are  reported  this  side  of  Meridian.  An  officer  who  left  Vicks- 
burg  on  Tuesday  reports  that  an  assault  near  the  Yazoo  road  had  been 
repelled  this  time.  '  It  is  said  here  to-day  that  another  was  made  near 


the  Jack-con  road,  and  also  repulsed.  This  gis'es  me  confidence  in 
Pemberton's  tenacity.  If  army  can  be  organized,  and  well  com- 
manded, we  shall  win. 

Major  Generals  in  proportion  to  the  number  of  brigades  are  neces- 
sary. IsMaj.r  General  Ewell  afsigned?  I  have  great  confidence 
in  him,  and  should  be  glad  to  have  him. 

(Signed)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


TELEGRAM  IN  CYPHER. 

Jackson,  May  23,  1863. 
To  the  President : 

The  number  of  troops  I  expect  to  concentrate  now  in  Mississippi  ia 
nineteen  (19)  thousand,  exclusive  of  the  garrison  of  Vicksburg  and 
Port  Hudson.  The  latter  I  have  ordered  to  join  me.  Vicksburg  is 
invested.  Number  sixteen  (16)  thousand  or  eighteen  (18)  thousand. 
Grant's  force  is  estimated  at  sixty  thousand  (60,000.) 

(Signed)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


TELEGRAM  IN  CYPHER. 

Canton,  May  24th,  1863. 
To  His  Excellency  the  President .' 

Tho  following,  received  by  courier,  at  Jackson,  yesterday,  from 
General  Pembcrton,  telegraphed  to  me  by  Colonel  Ewell: 

"Vicksburg,  May  20th. — Enemy  assaulted  entrenchments  yes- 
terday on  centre  and  left.  Were  repulsed  with  heavy  loss.  Our  lo-:- 
8mall.     Enemy's  force  at  least  sixty  (61))  thousand. 

"  May  21st — Enemy  kept  up  heavy  artillery  lire  yesterday.    Two 

(2)  guns  dismounted  in  centre,  and  works  uninjured.  Their  .sharp- 
shooters picked  off  officers  and  men  all  day.  Works  repaired  tad 
guns  replaced  last  night.  The  vital  (U  S  R  R  A)  question  hi 
ammunition. 

*'  The  men  are  encouraged  by  a  report  that  you  are  near  with  a 
large  army,  and  are  in  good  spirits. 

"  Two,  P.  M. — Brisk    artillery  and  musketry   fire  to-day.     Three 

(3)  guns  dismounted  in  centre;  will  replace  them  if  possible.     Heavy 
mortar    firing    from    gunboats.     The    fire    of    the    sbarpshoot<  . 
severe. 

Three  o'clock,  P.  ML — During  past  two  days  enemy  has  gone  op 
river  in  transports  in  large  force.     Where  going,  not  known." 
(Signed,)  JOS.  J^JOIC 


10 


TELEGRAM. 

Richmond,  May  24th,  1863. 

To  General  J.  E.  Johnston,  Canton,  Miss.  : 

I  concur  in  your  reliance  on  the  tenacity  with  which  General  Pern- 
berton  will  defend  his  position,  but  the  desparity  of  numbers  renders 
prolonged  defence  dangerous.  I  hope  you  will  soon  be  able  to  break 
the  investment,  make  a  juncture,  and  carry  in  munitions.  General 
l!ains,  who  has  made  valuable  inventions,  is  ordered  to  you  for  spe- 
cial service,  and  will,  I  think,  be  useful  both  on  land  and  river.  Gen'l 
Bragg  has  probably  communicated  with  you.  If  my  strength  per- 
mitted, I  would  go  to  you. 

(Signed,)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


TELEGRAM  IK  CIPHER. 

Jackson,  May  27th,  1863. 
To  His  Excellency,  the  President  : 

A  young  man,  sent  out  by  Major  General  Stevenson,  reports  that 
hard  fighting  has  been  going  on  since  Tuesday  of  last  Week,  with 
continued  success  to  us.  Our  men  confident  and  in  fine  spirits  ;  but 
we  cannot  break  the  investment  without  an  army.  General  Cooper 
tells  me  that  but  thirteen  (13)  thousand  have  been  ordered.  General 
Pemberton  estimates  Grant's  force  at  not  less  than  sixty  (60)  thou- 
sand. When  all  the  reinforcements  arrive,  shall  have  but  twenty  - 
three  (23)  thousand.     Tell  me  if  additional  troops  can  be  furnished. 

The  two  cases  of  cypher  are  independent  of  each  other. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


TELEGRAM  IN  CYPHER. 

Richmond,  May  28th,  1863, 
To  General  J.  E.  Johnston,  Canton,  Miss.  : 

The  reinforcements  sent   to    you  exceed  by,  say,  seven  thousand, 
the  estimate    of  your   dispatch   of  2?th   instant.     We  have  withheld 
nothing  which   it    was  practicable   to   give.     We   cannot   hopo   for 
numerical  equalitj^nd  time  will  probably  increase  the  disparity. 
(Signed,)  W  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


11 

TELEGRAM. 

Jackson,  May  28th,  1863. 
To  His  Excellency,  the  President  : 

It  is  reported  that  the  last  infantry  coming,  leave  Montgomery 
to-night.  When  they  arrive  I  shall  .have  about  twenty-three  thou- 
sand (23,000.)  Pemberton  can  be  saved  only  by  beating  Grant. 
Unless  you  can  promise  more  troops  we  must  try  with  that  number. 
The  odds  against  us  will  be  very  great.  Can,  you  not  add  seven 
thousand  ?  Asked  for  another  major  general,  W ilcox  or  whoever  you 
may  prefer.  We  want  good  general  officers  quickly.  I  have  to 
organize  an  army  and  collect  ammunition,  provisions,  and  transporta- 
tion, 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


TELEGRAM  IN  CYPHER. 

Richmond,  May  $0tiiy  1863. 

To  General  Jos.  E.  Johnston,  Jackson,  Miss.  : 

Your  dispatch,  of  28th,  received.  The  Secretary  of  War  reports 
the  reinforcement  ordered  to  you  as  greater  than  the  number  you 
request.  Added  to  the  forces  you  have  from  Pemberton's  army,  he 
states  your  whole  force  to  be  thirty-four  (34)  thousand,  exclusive  of 
militia.  Rowen  and  Walker  promoted.  French  and  Rreckinridge, 
ordered*  to  you,  will,  I  hope,  meet  your  want  of  major  generals.  If 
another  be  required,  S.  D.  Lee  is,  I  think,  equal  to  that  grade.  Offi- 
cers in  the  field  here  cannot  be  sent  to  you  without  too  great  delay 
The  troops  sent  to  you  were  so  fully  organized  that  I  suppose  you 
will  have  little  trouble  as  to  organization,  unless  it  be  of  militia 
Colonel  Stockton  can  probably  answer  your  requisitions  for  ammuni- 
tion. You,  no  doubt,  will  be  embarrassed  by  deficiency  of  fiold  trans- 
portation. The  recent  robberies  have  diminished  the  amount  in  the 
country, 

(Signed,)  JEFFERSON    DAVIS. 


TELEGRAM  IN  CYPHKK. 

Canton,  June  1,  J3C3,  via  Montgomery,  \ 
Po  his  Excellency,  the  PrmdmU  : 
The  Secretary  of  War  is  greatly  mistaken  in  his  number*.     By 


12 

their  own  returns,  the  troops  at  my  disposal  available  against  Grant 

are: 

Of  Pemberton's »,700 

Of  Bragg's 8,400 

Of  Beauregard's 6,000 

24,100 

• 

Not  including  a  few  hundred  irregular  cavalry  nor  Jackson's  com- 
mand, the  strength  of  which  I  do  not  know.  Bowen  and  Lee  are  in 
Vicksburg  beyond  my  reach.  In  the  estimate,  that  garrison  is  not 
included. 

The  total  of  the  above,  twenty-four  thousand  one  hundred  (24,100.) 

These  are  numbers  of  ..effectives. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


TELEGRAM. 

Canton,  via  Montgomery,  June  10,  1863, 
To  His  Excellency,  President  Davis  : 

It  has  been  suggested  to  me  that  the  troops  in  this  department  are 
very  hostile  to  officers  of  northern  birth,  and  that,  en  that  account, 
Major  General  French's  arrival  will  weaken  instead  of  strengthen  us. 
I  beg  you  to  consider  that  all  the  general  officers  of  northern  birth 
are  on  duty  in  this  department.  There  is  now  a  want  of  major  gene- 
rals. 

Tt  is  important  to  avoid  any  cause  of  further  discontent. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


TELEGRAM. 

Richmond,  Va.,  June  11,  1863. 

To  General  Joseph  E.  Johnston: 

Your  dispatch  received.  Those  who  suggest  that  the  arrival  of 
'General  French  will  produce  discontent  among  the  troop?,  because  ot 
liis  northern  birth  are  not,  probably,  aware  that  he  is  a  citizen  of 
Mississippi,  was  a  wealthy  planter  until  the  Yankees  robbed  Lim,  and, 
before  the  Confederate  States  had  an  army,  was  the  chief  of  ordnance 
and  artilletry  in  the  force  Mississippi  raised  to  maintain  her  right  of 
Recession.  As  soon  as  Mississippi  could  spare  him,  he  was  appointed 
a  brigadier  general  in  the  provisional  army  of  the  Confederate  States, 
and  has  frequently  been  before  the  enemy,  where  he  was  the  senior 
officer.     If  malignity  should  undermine  him,  as  it  has  another,  you 


13 

are  authorized  to  notify  him  of  the  fact  and  to  relieve  him,  communi- 
cating it  to  me  by  telegram.  Surprised  by  your  remark  as  to  the 
general  officers  of  northern  birth,  I  turned  to  the  register  and  find 
that  a  large  majority  of  the  number  are  elsewhere  than  in  the  Depart- 
ment of  Mississippi  and  eastern  Louisiana. 

(Signed,)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


TELEGRAM. 

Jackson,  June  12,  1863. 
To  Hon.  J.  A.  Seddon,  Secretary  of  War : 

Your  dispatch  of  the  8th,  imperfectly  deciphered  and  partially 
answered  on  the  tenth.  I  have  not  considered  myself  commanding  in 
Tennessee  since  assignment  here,  and  should  have  not  felt  authorized 
to  take  troops  from  that  department  after  having  been  informed  by  the 
Executive  that  no  more  could  be  spared.  To  take  from  Bragg  a  force 
which  would  make  this  army  fit  to  oppose  Grant  would  involve  yielding 
Tennessee.  It  is  for  the  Government  to  decide  between  this  State  and 
Tennessee. 

(Signed..)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


TELEGRAM. 

Richmond,  June  13,  1863. 
To  General  Bragg,  Tullahoma,  Tenn.  : 

General  Johnston  communicates  report  of  reinforcements  to  Grant 
going  down  the  Mississippi.  The  estimated  number,  thirty  thousand. 
Have  you  knowledge  whence  they  were  drawn.  If  from  Rosecranz, 
can  you  lurther  aid  the  defence  of  Vicksburg,  indirectly  or  directly, 
by  advance  or  detachment? 

(Signed,)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


TELEGRAM. 

Richmond,  June  15,  1863. 
To  General  J.  E.  Johnston,  Jackson,  Miss.  : 

Your  dispntch,  of  12th  instant,  to  Secretary  of  War,  noted.  The 
order  to  go  to  Mississippi  did  not  diminish  your  authority  in  Tennes- 
see, both  being  in  the  country  placed  under  your  command  in  original 


14 

assignment  To  what  do  you  refer  as  information  from  me  restricting 
your  authority  to  transfer  troops,  because  no  more  could  be  spared? 
Officers  ordered  to  you  for  duty  generally  are,  of  course,  subject  to 
assignment  by  you. 

(Signed,)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


TELEGRAM.    . 

Jackson,  June  15th,  1863. 
To  Hon.  J.  A.  Seodon,  Secretory  of  War : 

Your  repeated  dispatch  of  the  8th,  is  deciphered.  I  cannot  advise 
in  regard  to  the  points  from  which  troops  can  best  be  taken,  having 
no  means  of  knowing;  nor  is  it  for  me  to  judge  which  it  is  best  to 
yield,  (or  hold)  Mississippi  or  Tennessee;  that  is  for  the  Government 
to  determine.  Without  some  great  blunder  of  the  enemy,  we  cannot 
hold  both.  The  odds  against  me  are  much  greater  than  those  you 
express.     I  consider  saving  Vicskburg  hopeless. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


TELEGRAM. 

Jackon,  June  16,  1863. 

To  His  Excellency  the  President : 

Your  dispatch  of  loth  received.  I  meant  to  tell  the  Secretary  of 
War  that  1  considered  the  order  directing  me  to  command  here  as 
limiting  (my)  authority  to  this  department,  especially  when  that  order 
was  accompaned  by  War  Department  orders  transferring  troops  from 
Tennessee  to  Mississippi ;  and,  whether  commanding  there  or  not, 
that  your  reply  to  my  application  for  more  troops,  that  none  could  be 
spared,  would  have  made  it  improper  for  me  to  order  more  from  Ten- 
nessee. Permit  me  to  repeat  that  an  officer  having  a  task  like  mine, 
far  above  his  ability,  cannot,  in  addition,  command  other  remote  de- 
partments.     No  general  can  command  separate  armies. 

I  have  not  yet  been  able  to  procure  the  means  of  moving  these  troops. 
They  are  too  weak  to  accomplish  much.  The  reinforcements  you 
mention  have  joined  Grant. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


15 
TELEGRAM. 

Jackson,  Juno  16,  1863. 
To  Hon.  J.  A.  Seddon,  Secretary  of  War : 

General  Bragg  informs  me  that  a  telegram  from  Louisville,  of  the 
10th,  says  that  part  of  the  ninth  and  third  corps  have  been  sent  to 
reinforce  Grant.     Will  not  this  enable  us  to  invade  Kentucky  ?     For 
this  General  Bragg's  command  should  extend  over  east  Tennessee. 
(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


TELEGRAM. 

Richmond.  June  17,  1863. 
To  General  J.  E.  Johnston,  Jackson,  Miss.  : 

I  do  not  find  in  my  letter  book  any  communication  to  you  contain- 
ing the  expression  which  you  again  attribute  to  me,  and  cite  as  a  re- 
striction on  you  against  withdrawing  troops  from  Tennessee ;  and 
have  to  repeat  my  inquiry,  to  what  do  you  refer  !  Give  date  of  dis- 
patch or  letter.  ' 

(Signed)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


Richmond,  June   17,   1863. 
To  Gen.  B.  Bragg,  commanding,  §c.,  Shelbyville,  Ttnn.  : 

General:  Gen.  Johnston,  in  telegrams  of  the  15th  and  16th,  re- 
peats the  expression  of  his  opinion  that  he  cannot,  under  existing 
circumstances,  advantageously  command  both  in  Mississippi  an  1  Ten- 
nessee ;  and,  in  referring  to  the  reported  movement  of  Burnside's 
corps  to  reinforce  Grant,  sa}Ts  :  "  Will  not  this  enable  us  to  invade 
Kentucky?  For  this  General  Bragg's  command  should  extend  over 
east  Tennessee. 

The  arrangement  made  of  several  departments,  in  a  geographir;il 
district,  to  the  command  of  which  General  Johnston  was  assigned, 
was  intended  to  secure  the  fullest  co-operation  of  the  troops  in  those 
departments,  and,  at  the  same  time,  to  avoid  delay  by  putting  the 
commander  of  each  department  in  direct  correspondence  with  the  «F«f 
office 

Under  this  view  of  the  case,  the  department  of  cast  Tennessee, 
was  created  because  of  the  delay  which  would  attend  the  transmission 
of  reports  and  orders  if  they  must  need  pass  from  southwestern 
ginia  to  middle  Tcnnesse,  and  thence  to  Richmond,  Virginia.      Your 
telegram  of  the    15th,  suggesting    orders   for  co-operative   movement 
by  General  Buckner,  manifests  the  defect  of  the  existing  arrangement. 


16 

i 

while  General  Johnston's  attention  is  absorbed  by  operations  in  Mis- 
sissippi. 

I  would  be  glad  to  have  from  you  such  suggestions  as  you  may 
nlease  to  make  in  relation  to  the  proper  remedy  for  the  existing 
evil. 

Your  command  could  be  extended  to  embrace  that  of  Gen.  Buck- 
ner,  ly  extending  the  limits  of  the  department  of  Tennessee.  You 
will  know  better  than  myself  how  far  the  means  of  communication 
and  your  own  leisure  would  permit  you  to  direct  the  operations,  espe- 
cially in  the  eastern  portion  of  Gen.  Buckners'  department. 

You  can  also  judge  better  than  myself  how  far  co-operation  can  be 
relied  upon,  without  the  exercise  of  other  command  than  that  which 
arises  after  the  junction  of  forces  in  camp,  marches,  &c. 

There  are,  no  doubt,  many  conditions  which  do  not  now  occur  to  me, 
but  which  experience  has  brought  to  your  attention,  and  I  will  be  glad 
to  have  a  full  expression  of  your  views,  being  happily  fully  aware 
thai  your  wish  can  in  no  wise  differ  from  my  own,  the  success  of  our 
cause  in  the  unequal  struggle  in  which  we  are  engaged. 
Very  respectfully  and  truly  yours, 
(Signed)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


TELEGRAM. 

Jackson,  June  20,  1863. 
ilon.  J.  A.  Seddon,  Secretary  of  War  : 

On  arriving  here  I  informed  General  Kirby  Smith  of  the  condition 
*  f  Vicksburg  and  Port  Hudson,  and  requested  his  aid  and  co-operation, 
which  he  has  given. 

General  Taylor,  with  eight  thousand  men,  is  opposite  Vicksburg, 
and  temporarily  occupies  Milliken's  Bend  and  other  points  on  the 
river.  The  presence  of  this  force  is  encouraging.  Nothing  can  be 
done  by  us  to  relieve  Port  Hudson,  which  is  in  imminent  peril.  Gen- 
eral Taylor  will  make  such  demonstrations  opposite  Port  Hudson  as 
he  can. 

(Signed)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


TELEGRAM. 

Jackson,  June  20,  1863. 
To  His  Excellency,  the  President  : 

I  much   regret  the  carelessness  of  my  reply  of  the  16th,  to   your 
telegram  of  the  15th.     In  my  dispatch  of  the  1 2th,  to  the  Secretary  of 
War,  I  referred  to  words  "  we   have  withheld  nothing  which  it  was 
practicable  to  give,"  in  your  telegram  of  May  28th,  and  (to  the  tele- 


17 

gram)  of  June  5th*,  except  the  last  sentence.     I  considered  n  Execu- 
tive "  as  including  Secretary  of  War. 

(Signed)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


TELEGRAM  IN  CYPHER. 

Richmond,  June  25,  1863. 
To  Gen.  J.  E.  Johnston,  Jackson,  Miss. : 

Telegram  from  Governor  Pettus  informs  me  of  conference  with  you. 
Com.  Barron  will  transfer  the  funds  to  you,  to  be  applied  by  you  for 
the  purpose  indicated,  in  the  defence  of  western  rivers.  You  will 
exercise  discretionary  power  as  to  manner  and  objects. 

(Signed)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


TELEGRAM  IN  CYPHER. 

Jackson,  via  Montgomciy  ,  June  28,  1863 
His  Excellency,  the  President : 

I  have  received  what  you  directed  Commodore  Barron  to  give  me  ; 
but,  since  learning  particulars  of  the^jcheme  with  which  he  was  con- 
nectel,  have  no  hope  now  of  *  *          *  * 

The  third  object  seems   to  me  foasible,  and  agents  have  been 
patched  *  **  ****** 

I  shall  probably  not  require  a  tenth  part  of  the  monev. 

(Signed)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON 


TELEGRAM. 

Richmond,  June  SO,   |0| 

To  Gen.  J.  E.  Johnston,  Jackson,  Miss.  : 

After  full  examination  of  all  correspondence  between  you  and 
pelf  ;ind   the  war  office,  including  the  dispatches  referred  to  in 
•tin  of  the  20th  instant,  I  am  still  at  a  loss  to  account  f-<r 
Strange  error  in  Btating  to    the  Secretary  of  War  that 
draw  reinforcements  from  Bragg's  army  had  b 
Executive  ,,r  that  your   command  over    the  army  of  T 
been  Withdrawn. 

[n  c  mplianee  with  your  request,  I  am  ei 
with  (ieneral  Bragg  on  the  subject  of  making  such  new  arr.r 


cretary  of  Wfir 


18 

as  shall  relieve  you  hereafter  of  the  command  of  his  department. 
Your  suggestion  to  extend  Bragg's  command  over  east  Tennessee,  is 
likewise  a  subject  of  correspondence ;  and  your  recommendation  to 
attempt  a  movement  in  Kentucky  has  been  approved,  and  every  effort 
will  be  made  to  carry  into  effect  that  as  well  as  any  other  practicable 
movement  to  aid  you. 

(Signed,)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


TELEGRAM. 

Richmond,  July  2,  1863. 
To  General  J.  E.  Johnston  : 

I  have  this  day  sent  a  dispatch  to  General  E.  K.  Smith,  and  to  your 
care.  Please  send  copies  of„  the  dispatch  to  General  Smith  by  several 
reliable  couriers,  going  at  different  times,  so  as  to  ensure  its  speedy 
delivery. 

(Signed,)  JEFFERSON.  DAVIS. 


TELEGRAM. 

Headquarters,  Caney -Creek,  Madison  Co., 
"July  4,  1863,  via  Jackson. 

To  His  Excellency,  President  Davis  .' 

Your  dispatch  of  the  2d  instant,  received,  but  none  of  it  can  bo 
deciphered.     Please  repeat. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


TELEGRAM. 

Caney  Creek  Camp,  July  5,  1863. 

To  his  Excellency,  the  President : 

Your  dispatch  of  June  30th,  received.  I  considered  my  assignment 
to  the  immediate  command  in  Mississippi  as  giving  me  a  new  position 
and  limiting  my  authority  to  this  department.  The  orders  of  the 
War  Department  transferring  three  separate  bodies  of  troops  from 
General  Bragg's  army  to  this,  two  of  them  without  my  knowledge, 
and  all  of  them,  without  consulting  me,  would  have  convinced  me, 
had  I  doubted.  These  orders  of  the  War  Department  expressed  ita 
judgment  of  the  number  of  troops  to  be  transferred  from  Tennessee ; 
I  could  no  more  control  this  judgement  by  increasing  the  number  than 


19 

by  forbidding  the  transfer.  I  regret  very  much  that  an  impression 
which  seemed  to  me  to  bo  natural,  should  be  regarded  by  you  as  a 
strange  error.  I  thank  your  Excellency  for  \our  approval  of  tho 
several  recommendations  you  mention. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


TELEGRAM. 


Jackson,  July  7,  186ft, 


To  Hon.  J.  A.  Seddon,  Secretary  of  War  : 

Vicksburg  capitulated  on  the  4th  instant.  Garrison  was  paroled, 
and  are  to  be  returned  to  our  lines;  the  officers  retaining  their  side 
arms  and  personal  baggage.  This  intelligence  was  brought  by  an 
officer  who  left  the  place  on  Sunday  the  5th.  In  consequence,  I  am 
falling  back  from  the  Big  Block  river  to  Jackson. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON,  General. 


TELEGRAM. 

Richmond,  July  8,  1863. 
To  General  J.  E.  Johnston,  Jackson,  Mississippi : 

Your  dispatch  of  5th  instant,  received.  The  mistakes  it  contains 
will  be  noticed  by  letter.  Your  dispatch  of  7th  instant,  to  Secretary 
of  War,  announcing  the  disastrous  termination  of  the  siege  of  Vicks- 
burg received  same  day. 

Painfully  anxious  as  to  the  result,  I  have  remained  without  informa- 
tion from  you  as  to  any  plans  proposed  or  attempted  to  raise  the  siege. 
Equally  uninformed,  as  to  your  plans  in  relation  to  Port  Hudson.  I 
have  to  request  such  information,  in  relation  thereto,  as  the  Govern- 
ment has  a  right  to  expect  from  one  of  its  commanding  generals  in 
the  field. 

(Signed,)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


TBLBGB  \M 

.1  \<  v.  ■  i    Julj  9,  1863. 
To  his  Excellency,  ihe  Presid 

Your  dispatch  of  to-day*  received.   I  bare  never  Beaut  to  fail  in  the 
fluty  of  reporting  to  the  Executive,  whatever  might  interest  it  in  my 

•Dated  Richmond,  July  8,  18 


20 

command.  I  informed  the  Secretary  of  War  that  my  force  was  much 
too  weak  to  attempt  to  raise  the  siege  of  Vicksburg.  and  that  to  at- 
tempt to  relieve  Port  Hudson  would  be  to  give  up  Mississippi,  as  it 
would  involve  the  loss  of  this  point,  and  that  the  want  of  adequate 
means  of  transportation  kept  me  inactive  until  the  end  of  June.  I 
then  moved  towards  Vicksburg  to  attempt  to  extrica!e  the  garrison, 
but  could  not  devise  a  pi  n  until  after  reconnoitering,  for  which,  I 
was  too  late.  Without  General  Pemberton's  co-opperation,  any  atr 
tempt  must  have  resulted  In  disaster. 

The  slowness  and  difficulty  of  communication  rendered  co-operation 
next  to  impossible. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


TELEGRAM. 

Richmond,  July  9,  1863. 
To  General  J.  E.  Johnston,  Jackson,  Mississippi : 

If  it  be  true  that  General  Taylor  has  joined  General  Gardner  and 
routed  Banks,  you  will  endeavor  to  draw  heavy  reinforcements  from 
that  army,  and  delay  a  general  engagement,  until  your  junction  is 
effected.  Thus,  it  is  to  b.:  hoped,  the  enemy  may  yet  be  crushed  and 
the  late  disaster  be  repaired. 

Send  by  telegraph  a  list  of  the  general  and  staff  officers  who  have 
come  out  on  parole  from  Vicksburg,  so  that  they  may  be  exchanged 
immediately.  As  soon  as  practicable,  let  the  lists  of  regiments  and 
other  organizations  be  forwarded,  for  same  purpose.  General  Rains 
.should  now  fully  apply  his  invention. 

(Signed,)      "  '  JEFFERSON  DAVIS, 


TELEGRAM. 

•  Jackson,  July  9,  1863. 

To  his  Excellency,  the  President : 

The  enemy  is  advancing  in  two  columns  Gn  Jackson,  now  about  four 
miles  distant.  I  shall  endeavor  to  hold  the  place  as  the  possession  of 
Mississippi  depends  on  it.     His  force  is  about  double  ours. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON,  General. 


21 

TELEGRAM. 

Jackson,  July  10,  ISfiS. 
To  his  Excellency,  President  Davis  : 

Your  dispatch  of  yesterday  received.  No  report  of  Taylor's  junc- 
tion with  Gardner  has  reached  me,  as  it  must  have  done,  if  true,  as 
we  have  twelve  hundred  (12(H))  cavalry  in  that  vicinity.  I  have 
nothing  official  from  Vicksburg.  Major  Jacob  Thompson,  of  General 
Pembcrton's  staff,  gives  me  the  following  list :  Lieutenant  General 
Pemberton,  Major  Generals  Stevenson,  Forney,  M.  L.  Smith  and 
Bowen.  Brigadier  Generals  Barton,  Lee,  Curaming,  Moore,  Ilebert, 
Baldwin,  Vaughan,  Shoup.  Colonels  Reynolds.  Waul  and  Cockcrill, 
commanders  brigades,  also  Brigadier  General  Harris,  of  Mississippi 
militia. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


TELEGRAM  IN  CYPHER. 

Jackson,  July  II,  1863. 

To  tlie  President : 

Under  General  Pembcrton's  orders,  a  line  of  rifle-pits  was  con- 
structed from  the  Canton  road  at  Colonel  Withers'  house,  passing  a 
few  hundred  yards  from  the  railroad  depot,  and  going  to  the  New  Or- 
leans railroad,  one  thousand  (I  ,IM)U)  yards  south.  It  is  very  defective, 
cannot  stand  6eige,  but  improves  a  bad  position  against  assault.  I 
thought  want  of  water  would  compel  this,  but  the  enemy  has  made  no 
attempt,  but  skirmished  all  day  yesterday.  Should  he  not  assault,  we 
must  attack  him  or  leave  the  place.  Prisoners  say  these  are  Ord's 
and  Sherman's  corps,  and  three  other  divisions.  Their  right  is  near 
Raymond  road,  their  left  on  Pearl  river  opposite  insane  asylum.  Our 
men  are  deserting  in  lar^e  numbers  by  the  fords  on  Pearl  rii 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


TELEGRAM. 

R|<  UMOMD,  duly   11,1 
To  General  Jo  " 

Dispatch  of  this  day  received,  and  remarks  On  defects  of  entrench 
line  noted.     Though  late  to  attempt  improw  t  should 

be  made  to  strengthen  the  line  of  defence,  and  compel  the  enei 
assault.     'Am  deeply  distressed  at    report  of  desertions.  I  tho 


22 

Governor  aid  you  to  check  them  by  employing  citizens  as  guards  at 
the  fords  ? 

Beauregard  and  Bragg  are  both  threatened — the  former  now  engaged 
with  enemy.  We  are  entitled  to  discharge  of  the  paroled  prisoners, 
and  the  War  Department  will  spare  no  effort  to  promptly  secure  it. 

The  importance  of  your  position  is  apparent,  and  you  will  not  fail 
to  employ  all  available  means  to  ensure  success. 

I  have  too  little  knowledge  of  your  circumstances  to  be  more  defi- 
nite, and  have  exhausted  my  power  to  aid  you. 

(Signed,)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


TELEGRAM. 

Jackson,  July  12,  1863. 

To  his  Excellency,  President  Davis  : 

Your  dispatch  of  1 1th  received.  A  heavy  cannonade  this  morning 
for  two  hours  from  batteries  east  of  the  Canton  and  south  of  the  Clin- 
ton road.  The  enemy's  rifles  (?)  reached  all  parts  of  the  town,  show- 
ing the  weakness  of  the  position  and  untenableness  (?)  against  a  pow- 
erful artillery. 

Breckinridge's  front,  south  of  the  town,  was  assaulted  this  morning, 
but  not  vigorously.  A  party  of  skirmishers  of  the  first,  third,  fourth 
Florida,  forty-seventh  Georgia  and  Cobb's  battery  took  the  enemy's 
flank  and  captured  two  hundred  (200)  prisoners,  and  colors  of  the 
twenth-eighth,  forty  first  and  fifty-third  Illinois  regiments.  Heavy 
akirmishing  all  day  yesterday. 

(Signed,.)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


TELEGRAPH  IN  CYPHER. 

Jackson,  July  12,  1863. 
To  /us  Excellency,  President  Davis  : 

I  have  just  learned  from  Colonel  Logan  that  Port  Hudson  capitu- 
lated, at  G  A.  M.,  on  the  9th  instant.     Terms  not  given. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 

Received  in  Richmond^  July  13,  1863. 


23 


TELEGRAM. 


Richmond,  Va.,  July  13,  1863. 
To  General  Joseph  E.  Johnston,  Jackson,  Miss.  : 

Nothing  from  you  since  Saturday.       What  is  the  state  of  affairs  ! 
(Signed,)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


TELEGRAM  IN  CYPHER. 

Jackson,  July  13,  1863. 
To  his  Excellency,  the  President : 

Your  dispatch  of  the  1 1th  received.  The  Governor  cannot  help  us. 
Under  our  joint  call,  bat  one  hundred  and  seventy-six  mon  have  been 
obtained.  I  think  Grant  will  keep  the  Vicksburg  prisoners  until 
operations  here  are  ended.  lie  may  be  strongly  reinforced  from  Port 
Hudson.  If  the  position  and  works  were  not  bad,  want  of  stores 
which  coul  1  not  be  collected,  would  make  it  impossible  to  ata.id  - 
If  the  enemy  will  not  attack  we  must;  or,  at  the  last  moment,  with- 
draw. We  cannot  attack  seriously  without  risking  the  army  ;  but  it 
is  diffiult  to  yield  this  vital  point  without  a  struggle.  On  afternoon 
of  11th,  the  enemy  extended  his  right  to  Pearl  river. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON". 

Received  in  Richmond,  July  13,  1S63. 


TELEGRAM 

Jackson,  July  13,  ^63. 
To  his  Excellency,  the  President  : 

Colonel  Fuller  has  just  arrived  fivun   Vicksburg.      The  Ft"! 
sued  (ol.iiuo)  thirty-one  thousand  rations  to  the  garrison  after  the 
siege.      There  were  (18,000)  eighteen  thousand  men  lit  for  duty  in  the* 
trenches  the  day  of  the  surrender  ;  about  (6,00  thousand   sick 

and  wounded  in  hospitals. 

Loses,  killed  and  wounded,  during  th<'  bi<  nty- 

five  hundred  (25i)t').     General  Green  the  only  general  officer   1 
The  garrison  left  Vieh  i  the  11th,   and  will   reaofa   i    point  ten 

miles  east  of  Brand<  n.  on  Wednesd  ij  the  1 5th.     I  talonel  Puller  thinks 
the  troops  are  much  dem  irahzed,  and  s  large  proportion  men 

will  straggle;  the  cause  is  their  objection  t  amp. 


24 

They  ask  a  furlough  of  thirty  day?,  which  General  Pemberton  recom- 
mends.    Subsisting  these  men  will  be  attended  with  serious  difficulty. 
(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


TELEGRAM. 

Richmond,  Va.,  July  14,  1863. 

To  General  Joseph  E.  Johnston,  Jackson,  Mississippi : 

Your  dispatch  of  yesterday,  received.  If  lists  of  paroled  prisoners, 
as  heretofore  directed,  be  promptly  furnished,  there  will  be  no  need 
to  detain  the  men  in  a  paroled  camp,  as  we  shall  insist  on  immediate 
discharge,  and  give  to  them  an  opportunity  again  to  serve  their 
country. 

'(Signed,)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


TELEGRAM  IN  CYPHER. 

Jackson,  Miss.,  July  14,  1863. 

To  Iiis  Excellency,  President  Davis  .' 

We  learn  from  Vicksburg,  that  a  large  force  lately  left  that  place 
to  turn  us  on  the  north.  This  will  compel  us  to  abandon  Jackson. 
The  troops  before  us  have  been  entrenching  and  erecting  batteries 
Fince  their  arrival, 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 

R  .  eived  at  Richmond,  July  15th,  1863. 


Richmond,  July  15,  1863. 

To  General  Joseph  E.  Johnston  : 

General  :  Your  dispatch  of  the  5th  instant,  stating  that  you  "con- 
sidered" your  "assignment  to  the  immediate  command  in  Missis- 
sippi," as  giving  you  a  "  new  position,"  and  as  "limiting  your  au- 
thority," being  a  "  repetition  of  a  statement  which  you  Avere  informed 
was  a  grave  error,  and  being  persisted  in  after  your  failure  to  point 
out,  when  requested,  the  letter  or  dispatch  justifying  you  in  such  a 


conclusion,  rendered  it  necessary,  as  you  were  informed  in  my  dis- 
patch of  the  8th  instant,  that  I  should  make  a  more  extended  repMy 
than  could  be  given  in  a  telegram  That  tjiero  may  be  no  possible  room 
for  further  mistake  in  this  matter,  I  am  compelled  to  recapitulate  the 
substance  of  all  orders  and  instructions  given  to  you,  so  far  as  they 
bear  on  this  question. 

On  the  24th  November,  last,  you  were  assigned,  by  special  oider, 
No.  275,  to  a  defined  geographical  command.  The  deseript;on  in- 
cluded a  portion  of  western  North  Carolina  and  northern  Georgia,  the 
States  of  Tennessee,  Alabama  and  Mississippi,  and  that  portion  of 
the  State  of  Louisiana,  east  of  the  Mississippi  river.  The  order  con- 
cluded in  the  following  language  : 

"  General  Johnston  will  for  the  purpose  "  of  correspondence  and 
reports,  establish  his  headquarters  at  Chattanooga,  or  such  other  pi  ice 
;is  in  his  judgment,  will  best  secure  communication  with  the  troops 
within  the  li.;:its  of  his  command,  and  will  repair  in  person  to  any 
part  of  said  command,  wherever  his  presence  may  for  the  time  be 
necessary  or  desirable." 

This  command,  by  its  terms,  embraced  the  armies  under  command 
of  General  Bragg,  in  Tennessee,  of  General  Pemberton,  at  Vicksburg, 
as  well  as  those  at  Port  Hudson,  Mobile  and  the  forces  in  cast  Ten- 
nessee. 

This  general  order  has  never  been  changed  nor  modified,  so  as  to 
effect  your  command  in  a  single  particular,  nor  has  your  control  over 
it  been  interfered  with.  I  have,  as  commander-in-chief,  given  you 
some  orders,  which  will  be  hereafter  noticed,  not  one  of  them,  how- 
ever, indicating  in  any  manner  that  the  general  control  confided  to 
you,  was  restricted  or  impaired.  % 

You  exercise  this  command,  by  visiting  in  person,  the  armies  at 
Murfreesboro,'  Vieksburg,  Mobile  and  elsewhere  ;  and  on  the  22d  Janu- 
ary, 1  wrote  to  you  directing  that  you  should  repair  in  person  to  the 
army  at  Tullahoma,  on  account  of  a  reported  want  of  harmony  and  con- 
fidence between  General  Bragg  and  his  officers  and  troops  ;  this  letter 
closed  with  the  following  passage  :     "As  that  army  is  part  of  your  i 

I,  no  order  will  be  necessary  to  give  you  authority  there,  u 
whether  present  or  absent,  you  have  a  right  to  direct  its  o  orations, 
and  to  do  whatever  belongs  to  the  general  commanding."' 

Language  cannot  be  plainer  than  this,  and  although  the  different 
armies  in  tout  geographical  district,  were  ordered  to  report  directly 
to  Richmond  as  well  as  to  yourself;  this  was  done  solely  to  avoid  tho 
evil  that  would  rest  It  from  reporting  through  you,  when  your  head- 
quarters might  be,  and  it  was  expected  frequently  would  I  ated 
a  injurious  to  the  j  uMic  intei  • 

"While  at  Tullahoma,  you  did  not  bi  si  let  troops  fn 

ernl  Member  top's  army,  and.  learnii  u  had  ordered  the  div 

t  .liy  from  north 
that  this  order  left  Mississippi  expt  fairy  raids, without  means 

them.     You  did  not  change  your  order-. 
:ht  them  injudicious,  1  refrained  i.  kg  my  authority  in 

defiei 


26 

When  I  learned  that  prejudice  and  malignity  had  80  undermined 
the  confidence  of  the. troops  at  Vicksburg  in  their  commander,  as  to 
threaten  disaster,  I  deeme^  the  circumstances  such  as  to  present  the 
case  foreseen  in  special  order  No.  275,  that  you  should  "repair,  in 
person,  to  any  part  of  said  command,  whenever  your  presence  might 
be,  for  the  time,  necessary  or  desirable." 

You  were,  therefore,  ordered,  on  the  9th  May,  to  "proceed  at  once 
to  Mississippi,  and  take  chief  command  of  the  forces,  giving  to  those 
in  the  field,  as  far  as  practicable,  the  encouragement  and  benefit  of 
your  personal  direction." 

Some  details  were  added  about  reinforcements,  but  not  a  word  affect- 
ing, in  the  remotest  degree,  your  authority  to  command  your  geo- 
graphical district. 

On  the  4th  June,  you  telegraphed  to  the  Secretary  of  War  in  re- 
sponse to  his  inquiry,  saying  "  my  only  plan  is  to  relieve  Vicksburg. 
My  force  is  far  too  small  for  the  purpose.  Tell  me  if  you  can  in- 
crease it,  and  how  much."  To  which  he  answered,  on  the  5th,  "  I 
regret  inability  to  promise  more  troops,  as  we  have  drained  resources 
even  to  the  danger  of  several  points.  You  know  best  concerning 
Gen.  Bragg's  army ;  but  I  fear  to  withdraw  more.  We  are  too  far 
outnumbered  in  Virginia  to  spare  any,"  &c,  &c. 

On  the  8th  June,  the  Secretary  was  more  explicit,  if  possible.  He 
said  :  "  Do  you  advise  more  reinforcements  from  Gen.  Bragg  ?  You, 
as  commandant  of  the  department,  have  power  so  to  order  if  you,  in 
view  of  the  whole  case,  so  determine." 

On  the  10th  June,  you  answered  that  it  was  for  the  Government  to 
determine  what  department  could  furnish  the  reinforcements  ;  that  you 
could  nofknow  how  General  Bragg's  wants  compared  with  yours  ; 
and  that  the  Government  could  make  the  comparison.  Your  state- 
ments, that  the  Government  in  Richmond  was  better  able  to  judge  of 
the  relative  necessities  of  the  armies  under  your  command,  than  you 
were,  and  the  further  statement,  that  you  could  not  know  how  Gen. 
Bragg's  wants  compared  with  yours,  were  considered  extraordinary ; 
but,  as  they  were  accompanied  by  the  remark  that  the  Secretary's 
dispatch  had  been  imperfectly  deciphered,  no  observation  was  made 
on  them  till  the  receipt  of  your  telegram  to  the  Secretary  of  the  12th 
instant,  stating  "I  have  not  considered  myself  commanding  in  Ten- 
nessee since  assignment  here,  and  should  not  have  felt  authorized  to 
take  troops  from  that  department,  after  having  been  informed  by  the 
Executive  that  no  more  could  be  spared." 

My  susprise  at  these  two  statements  was  extreme.  You  had  never 
been  "  assigned"  to  the  Mississippi  command.  You  went  there  un1 
der  the  circumstances  and  orders  already  quoted,  and  no  justification 
whatever  is  percived  for  your  abandonment  of  your  duties  as  com- 
manding general  of  the  geographical  district  to  which  you  were  as- 
signed. 

Orders  as  explicit  as  those  under  which  you  were  sent  to  the  west, 
and  under  which  you  continued  to  act  up  to  the  9th  May,  when  you 
were  directed  to  repair,  in  person,  to  Mississippi,  can  only  be  impaired 
or  set  aside  by  subsequent  orders  equally  explicit ;  and  your  announce- 


27 

ment  that  you  had  ceased  to  consider  yourself  charged  with  the  control 
of  affairs  in  Tennessee,  because  ordered  to  repair  in  person  to  Mississippi 
both  places  being  within  the  command  to  which  you  were  assigned, 
was  too  grave  to  be  overlooked ;  and  when  to  this  was  added  the  as- 
sertion that  you  sheuld  not  have  felt  authorized  to  draw  troops  ftom 
that  department  (Tennesse,)  "  after  being  informed  by  the  Executive 
that  no  more  could  be  spared,"  I  was  unable  to  account  for  your  lan- 
guage, being  entirely  confident  that  I  had  never  given  you  any  such 
information. 

I  shall  no>v  proceed  to  separate  your  two  statements,  and  begin  with 
that  which  relates  to  your  "  not  considering  "  yourself  commanding 
in  Tennessee,  since  assignment  "here,"  i.  e.,  in  Mississippi. 

When  you  received  my  telegram  of  the  15th  June,  informing  you 
that  "  the  orders  to  go  to  Mississippi  did  not  'diminish  your  authority 
in  Tennessee,  both  being  in  the  country  placed  under  your  command 
in  original  assignment,"  accompanied  by  an  enquiry  about  the  infor- 
mation, said  to  have  been  derived  from  me.  restricting  your  authority 
to  transfer  troops,  your  answer  on  the  ICth  June,  was,  "  I  meant 
to  tell  the  Secretary  of  War  that  I  considered  the  order  directing  me 
to  command  here,  as  limiting  my  authority  to  this  department,  espe- 
cially when  that  order  was  accompanied  by  War  Department  orders 
transferring  troops  from  Tennessee  to  Mississippi." 

This  is,  in  substance,  a  repetition  of  the  previous  statement,  with- 
out any  reason  being  given  for  it.  The  fact  of  orders  being  sent  to 
you  to  transfer  some  of  the  troops  in  your  department  from  one  point 
to  another  to  which  you  were  proceeding  in  person,  could  give  no 
possible  ground  for  your  "  considering"  that  special  order  No.  215, 
was  recinded  or  modified. 

Your  command  of  your  geographical  district  did  not  make  you  in- 
dependent of  my  orders  as  your  superior  offi:er,  and  when  you  were 
directed  by  me  to  take  troops  with  you  to  Mississippi,  your  control 
over  the  district  to  which  you  were  assigned  was  in  no  way  involved. 
But  the  statement  that  troops  were  transferred  from  Tennessee  to 
Mississippi,  by  orders  of  the  War  Department,  when  you  were  di- 
rected to  repair  to  the  latter  State,  gives  but  half  the  fact ;  for,  al- 
though you  were  ordered  to  take  with  you  three  thousand  good  troops, 
you  were  told  to  replace  them  by  a  greater  number,  then  on  their  way 
to  Mississippi,  and  whom  you  were  requested  to  divert  to  Tennessee. 
The  purpose  being  to  hasten  reinforcements  to  Pemberton,  without 
weakening  Bragg.  This  was  in  deference  to  jour  own  opinion  that 
Bragg  could  not  be  safely  weakened — n3y,  that  he  ought  even  to  be  re- 
inforced at  Peinberton's  expense,  for  you  had  just  ordered  troop?  from 
Peinberton's  command  to  reinforce  Bragg.  I  differed  in  opinion  from 
you,  and  thought  Vicksbur^  far  more  exposed  to  danger  than  Bi 
and  was  urging  forward  reinforcements  to  tli  it  point  both  from  Caro- 
lina and  Virginia,  before  you  were  directed  to  assume  command  in 
person  in  Mississippi. 

I  find  nothing  then,  either  in  you  dispatch  of  the  16th  June,  nor 
in  any  subsequent  communication  from  yon.  giving  a  j  I  n  for 

your   saying  that  you  "had  not  considered  yourself  commanding  in 


28 

Tennessee  since  assignment  here,"  (i.  e.,  in  Mississippi.)  Your  dis- 
patch of  the  5th  instant,  is  again  a  substantial  repetition  of  the  s;ime 
statement,  without  a  word  of  rea-on  to  justify  it.  You  say,  ';  I  con- 
sidered ray  assignment  to  the  immediate  command  in  Mississippi  as 
giving  me  a  new  position,  and  limiting  my  authority  to  this  depart- 
ment." I  have  characterised  this  as  a  grave  error,  and,  in  view  of 
all  the  facts,  cannot  otherwise  regard  it.  I  must  add  that  a  review  of 
your  rorrespondence  shows  a  constant  desire  on  your  part,  beginning 
early  in  January,  that  I  should  change  the  order,  placing  Tennessee 
and  Mississippi  in  one  command,  under  your  direction,  and  a  canst. mt 
indication,  on  my  part,  whenever  I  wrote  on  the  subject,  that,  in  my 
judgement,  the  public  service  required  that  the  two  armie3  should  be 
subject  to  your  control. 

I  now  proceed  to  your  second  statement  in  your  telegram  of  the 
12th  June*,  that  "  you  should  not  have  felt  authorized  to  take  troops 
from  that  department,  (Tennessee,)  after  .having  been  informed  by 
the  Executive  that  no  more  could  be  spared." 

To  my  inquiry  for  the  basis  of  this  statement,  you  answered,  on  the 
16th,  by  what  was,  in  substance,  a  reiteration  of  it. 

I  again  requested  on  the  17th,  that  you  should  refer  by  date  to  any 
such  communication  as  that  alleged  by  you. 

You  answered  on  the  20th  June,  apologized  for  carelessness  in 
your  first  reply,  and  referred  me  to  a  passage  fr  >in  my  telegram  to 
you  of  the  28th  May,  and  to  one  from  the  Secretary  of  War  of  5th 
June,  and  then  informed  me  that  you  considered  "  Executive  "  as  in- 
cluding Secretary  of  War. 

Your  telegram  of  12th  June,  was  ^addressed  to  the  Secretary  of 
War,  in  the  second  person;  it  begins,  ">our  dispatch,"  and  then 
speaks  of  the  Executive  in  the  third  person,  and,  on  reading  it.  it 
was  not  supposed  that  the  word-"  Executive  "  referred  to  any  one  but 
myself;  but,  of  course,  in  a  matter  like  this,  your  own  explanation  of 
your  meaning  is  conclusive. 

The  telegram  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  of  5th  June,  followed  by 
that  of  Sth  of  June,  conveyed  unmistakably,  the  very  reverse  of  the 
meaning  you  attributed  to  them,  and  your  reference  to  the:n  as  sup- 
porting your  position  .is  unintelligible.  I  revert,  therefore,  to  my 
telegram  of  28th  May.  That  telegram  was  in  answer  to  one  from 
you  in  which  you  stated  that  on  the  arrival  of  certain  reinforcements, 
then  on  the  way,  you  would  have  about  .wenty-three  thousand.  That 
Pemberton  could  be  saved  only  by  beating  Grant;  and,  you  added: 
"  Unless  you  can  promise  more  troops  we  must  try  with  that  number. 
The  odds  against  us  will  be  very  great.   Can  you  add  seven  thousand  ?" 

My  reply  wag  "the  reinforcements  sent  to  you  exceed  by,  say, 
seven  thousand,  the  estimate  of  your  dispatch  of  27th  instant.  We 
have  withheld  nothing  which  it  was  practicable  to  give  you.  We 
cannot  hope  for  numerical  equality,  and  time  will  probably  increase 
the  disparity." 

It  is  on  this  language  that  you   rely  to  support  a  statement  that  I 


*To  Secretary  of  War. 


29 

informed  you  no  more  troops  could  be  spared  from  Tennessee,  and  as 
re>tricting  your  right  to  withdraw  troops  from  that  department.  It 
bears  no  such  construction.  The  reinforcements  sent  to  you,  with  an 
exception  presently  to  be  noticed,  were  from  points  outside  of  your 
department.  You  had,  in  telegrams  of  1st,  'Jd*  and  Teh  May,  and 
Others,  made  repeated  applications  to  have  troops  withdrawn  from 
other  departments  to  your  aid.  You  were  informed  that  we  would 
give  all  the  aid  we  possibly  could.  Of  your  right  to  order  any  chi 
made  in  the  distribution  of  troops  in  your  own  district,  no  doubt  had 
ever  been  suggested  by  yourself  nor  could  occur  to  your  superiors 
here,  for  they  had  given  you  the  authority. 

The  reinforcements  which  went  with  you  from  Tennessee  were  (as 
already  explained,  and,  as  was  communicated  to  you  at  the  time.)  a 
mere  exchange  for  other  troops  sent'from  Virginia. 

The  troops  subsequently  sent  to  you  from  Bragg  were  forwarded 
by  him  under  the  following  dispatch  from  me,  of  22d  May:  "The 
vital  issue  of  holding  the  Mississipp  at  Vicksburg,  is  dependent  on 
the  success  of  General  Johnston  in  an  attack  on  the  investing  force. 
The  intelligence  from  there  is  discouraging.  Can  you  aid  him  I"  If 
so.  and  you  are  without  orders  from  General  Johnoton,  act  on  your  judg- 
ment." 

The  words  that  I  now  underscore  suffice  to  show  how  thoroughly 
your  right  of  command  of  the  troops  in  Tennessee  was  recognized.  I 
know  from  your  own  orders  that  you  thought  it  more  advisable  to 
draw  troops  from  Mississippi  to  reinforce  Bragg  than  to  send  troops 
from  the  latter  to  Pcmborton  ;  and  one  of  the  reasons  which  induced 
the  instruction  to  you  to  proceed  to  Mississippi,  was  the  conviction 
that  your  views  on  this  point  would  be  changed  on  arrival  in  Missis- 
sippi. Still,  although  convinced  myself  that  troops  might  be  spared 
from  Bragg's  army  without  very  great  danger,  and  that  Vicksburg 
was.  on  fchff  contrary,  in  immediate  peril,  1  was  unwilling  to  over- 
mi"  your  judgment  of  the  distribution  of  your  troops  whil.-  you  were 
on  the  spot,  and,  therefore,  simply  left  to  General  Bragg  the  power 
to  aid  you,  if  he  could,  ttnd  if  you  had  not  given  contrary  ordirs. 

The  cavalry  sent  to  you  fr  >m  T<  nnessee  was  sent  on  a  similar  dis- 
patch from  the  Secretary  of  War  to  General  Bragg,  informing  him  of 
your  earnest  appeal  for  cavalry,  and,  asking,  him  if  he  could  spare  an  \ 
You  request  was  for  a  regiment  of  cavalry  to  be  sent  to  you  from 
My  di-patch  of  18th  of  May,  pointed  out  to  you  the  delay 
Whil  h  a  Compliance  would  involve,  and  suggested  that  cavalry  could 
be  drawn  from  "another  part  of  your  department,"  as  had  I 
vi"ii-ly  indicated. 

In  no  manner,  by  no  act.  by  no  language,  either  of  myself  or  of 

/  of  War,  has  your  ai  •  draw  troops  from  one  portion 

of  your  department  to  enol  i  withdrawn,  i  ified. 

w  that  Vicksburg  hn<  lisly  fallen,  this  subject  would  ; 

no   pressing   demand    for   attention,   and   its  examination  would 
been  postponed  to  a  future  pi  I   not  your  dispatch  Ol 

•I) 


so 

5th  instant,  "with  its  persistent  repetition  of  statements  which  I  had 
informed  you  were  erroneous,  and  without  adducing  a  single  fact  to 
sustain  them,  induced  me  to  terminate  the  matter  at  once  by  a  review 
of  all  the  facts.  The  original  mistakes  in  your  telegram  of  the  12th 
June,  would  gladly  have  been  overlooked  as  accidental,  if  acknowl- 
edged when  pointed  out. 

The  perseverance  with  which  they  have  been  insisted  on,  has  not 
permitted  me  to  pass  them  by  as  a  mere  oversight,  or  by  refraining 
from  an  answer  to  seem  to  admit  the  justice  of  the  statement. 
Respectfully,  &c, 
(Signed,)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


TELEGRAM  IN  CYPHER. 

Jackson,  July  15,  1863. 
To  President  Davis  : 

The  enemy  will  not  attack,  but  has  entrenched.  Is  evidently 
making  a  siege  which  we  cannot  resist.  It  would  be  madness  to  attack 
him.  In  the  beginning  it  might  have  been  done;  but  I  thought  then 
that  want  of  water  would  compel  him  to  attack  us.  It  is  reported  by 
Borne  of  its  officers,  who  were  here  yesterday,  and  by  some  gentlemen 
of  Brandon,  that  the  Vickshurg  garrison  is  diminishing  rapidly. 
Incessant  but  slight  cannonading  kept  up.  Our  loss  in  killed  and 
wounded  about  three  hundred  and  fifty,  (350.)  The  remainder  of  tho 
army  under  Grant,  at  Vicksburg,  is,  beyond  doubt,  on  its  way  to  this 
place. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


TELEGRAM  IN  CYPHER. 

Jackson,  July  16,  186$. 
To  His  Excellency,  President  Davis  : 

The  enemy  being  strongly  reinforced  and  able,  when  he  pleases,  to 
cut  us  off,  I  shall  abandon  this  place,  which  it  is  impossible  for  us  to 
hold. 

(Signed,)  •  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


31 

TELEGRAM. 

Jackson,  July  16,  1863. 

To  His  Excellency,  President  Davis  : 

Your  dispatch  of  yesterday*  received.  Lieutenant  General  Pem- 
berton  has  been  instructed  to  send  an  officer  to  Richmond  with  lists  of 
paroled  prisoners.  Reports  indicate  that  few  of  them  will  re-enter 
the  service  very  soon  as  they  are  rapidly  dispersing.  Little  firing 
yesterday.  None  this  morning.  I  sent  a  body  of  cavalry  to  tho 
enemy's  rear  afternoon  of  1  1th,  but  have  not  heard  from  it. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


TELEGRAM. 

Brandon,  Julv  17,  1863. 
To  his  Excellency,  Ike  President  : 

Jackson  was  abandoned  last  night.  The  troops  are  now  moving 
through  this  place  to  encamp  three  miles  to  the  east.  Those  officers 
who  have  seen  the  Vicksburg  troops,  think  that  they  cannot  be  kept 
together.  General  Pemberton. thinks  the  best  policy  to  furlough  them 
by  regiments. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


TELEGRAM  IN  CYPHER. 

Richmond,  Va.,  July  18,  1863. 
To  General  J.  E.  Johnston,  Brandon,  Miss.  : 

Your  dispatch  of  yesterday  received,  informing  me  of  your  retreat 
from  Jackson  towards  the  east.  I  desire  to  know  your  ulterior  pur- 
pose. The  enemy  may  not  pursue,  but  move  up  the  Central  road, 
lay  waste  the  rich  country  towards  Tennessee,  and  co-operate  after- 
wards with  Rosccranz.  Another  column,  eastern  Louisiana  being 
abandoned,  may  be  sent  from  New  Orleans  to  attack  Mobile  on  the 
land  side. 

The  recommendation  to  furlough  the  paired  troops  frcm  Vicksburg 
offers  a  hard  alternative  under  the  pressure  of  our  present  condition. 
(Signed,)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


♦Dated  Richmond,  July  14, 


32 

TELEGRAM. 

July  19,  1863. 

To  his  Excellency,  the  President  : 

Your  dispatch  of  yesterday  cannot  be  deciphered.  My  purpose  is 
to  hold  as  much  of  the  country  as  I  can,  and  to  retire  further  only 
■when  compelled  to  do  so.  Should  the  enemy  cross  Pearl  river,  I  will 
oppose  his  advance;  and,  unless  you  forbid  it,  order  General  Bragg 
to  join  me  to  give  battle.  Prisoners  all  say  that  Mobile  is  to  be 
attacked.  I  will  reinforce  the  garrison,  if  necessary,  not  expecting 
Sherman  to  move  through  Mississippi  at  present.  He  must  repair 
railroads  first,  and  our  cavalry  can  break  them  behind  him.  In  the 
meantime,  I  will  try  to  restore  discipline. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


TELEGRAM. 

Richmond,  July  21,  1863. 
To  General  J.  E.  Johnston,  near  Morton,  Miss.  : 

Return  to  me  the  cypher  dispatch  of  18th  to  enable  me   to  learn 
why  my  cypher  dispatches  to  you  are  illegible. 

(Signed,)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


Camp  near  Morton,  July  22,  1863. 
To  his  Excellency,  the  President ': 

As  it  is  of  the  highest  importance  that  you  should  have  the  best 
intelligence  of  the  condition  of  military  affairs  in  Mississippi,  I  have 
desired  Brigadier  General  Featherstone  to  go  to  Richmond  to  give 
you  information  which  he,  an  eminent  Mississippian  and  distinguished 
soldier,  can  communicate  better  than- any  other  officer  of  this  array. 

In  selecting  General  Fdfcther3tone  for  this  service,  I  have  been 
influenced  as  much  by  my  belief  of  your  high  opinion  of  him  as  by 
my  own. 

Most  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  E.  JOHNSTON,  General. 


33 

TELEGRAM. 

Morton,  July  23,  1863. 

To  his  Excellency,  the  President : 

Two  divisions  of  the  enemy  drove  our  cavalry  through  Brandon, 
and  returned  to  Jackson  next  day.  Scouts  report  railroad  bridges 
destroyed  by  them.  Prisoners  say  that  they  will  attack  Mobile  next. 
A  paroled  prisoner  reports  to  Colonel  Wirt  Adams  that  a  garrison  of 
one  corps  was  left  in  Jackson,  the  rest  going  to  Vicksburg.  Large 
quantities  of  artillery  ammunition  are  being  sent  from  Vicksburg. 
Said  in  the  army  that  they  are  to  move  via  Memphis  and  Mobile  and 
Ohio  road. 

Desertions  continue,  especially  of  Mississippians.  I  shall  visit 
Mobile  in  a  day  or  two,  Lieutenent  General  Hardee  being  here. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON 


TELEGRAM  IN  CIPHER. 

Near  Morton,  July  24,  1863". 
To  his  Excellency,  the  President : 

Brigadier  General  Cosby  reports  that  the  enemy's  rear-guard  left 
Jackson  yesterday  towards  Vicksburg,  and  that  Colonel  Tom  Taylor 
met  General  Sherman  at  Edward's  depot  and  was  told  by  him  that  his 
troops  would  not  stay  a  day  in  Vicksburg,  but  instantly  move  up  the 
river. 

Does  this  indicate  reinforcing  Meade?  A  deserter  said  yesterday- 
that  these  troops  expect  to  go  to  Richmond. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 

3 


CORRESPONDENCE 


1UTWKEN    THE 


W.1R  DEPARTMENT,  ADJT  &  L\SPECI0R  GENERAL 


GENERAL  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


C.  S.  A.,  War  Department, 
Richmond,  Va.  January  8,  1863. 

To  the  President  of  the  Confederate  States  : 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  copies  of  "  the   orders  given  U 
and  correspondence  with,   General  Joseph   E.  Johnston,   during  th 
months  of  May,  June  and  July,  18C3,  concerning  his  command,  ami 
the  operations  in  his  department,"  by  this  Department,  as  called  fo. 
by  a  resolution  of  the  House  of  Representative?,  adopted  on  the  lit' 
December  last. 

Copies  of  the  order  assigning  General  Johnston  to   command, 
of  those  constituting  General  Bragg's  a  separate  department,  with  th 
accompanying  correspondence,  are  also  sent,  in  further  elucidation  of 
the  subject. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JAMBS  A.  8EDD( 


r  r,  .      .  ,  Aojutant  am>  Inspector 

[Extract.  \  Richmond,  N 

SPECIAL  ORDERS,  ) 
No.  275.  { 

•  ••»••• 

111  J.  ]      JohnstoT 

following  geographical  command,  to-wi 

Uidge  range  of  mountains  running  through  th<  I  of  Nort 

Carolina,  and  following  the  line  of  paid  mountains  throup 


36 

;  art  of  Georgia  to  the  railroad  south  from  Chattanooga ;  thence  by 
that  road  to  West  Point,  and  down  the  west  or  right  bank  of  the  Chat- 
tahoochie  river,  to  the  boundary  of  Alabama  and  Florida;  following 
that  boundary  west  to  the  Choctahatchie  river,  and  down  that  river  to 
Choctahatchie  bay,  (including  the  waters  of  that  bay,)  to  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico.  All  that  portion  of  country  west  of  said  line  to  the  Mississippi 
river,  is  included  in  the  above  command.  General  Johnston  will,  for 
the  purpose  of  correspondence  and  reports,  establish  his  headquarters 
at  Chattanooga,  or  such  other  place  as,  in  his  judgment,  will  best 
secure  facilities  for  ready  communication  with  the  troops  within  the 
limits  of  his  command,  and  will  repair,  in  person,  to  any  part  of  said 
command  whenever  his  presence  may  for   the  time  be   necessary  or 

desirable. 

#  '  *  #  *  *  *  # 

By  command  of  the  Secretary  of  War. 

JOHN  WITHERS, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


Tullahoma,  May  I,  1863. 

General  S.  Cooper,  Adjutant  and  Inspector  General: 

General  Pemberton  reports  from  Vicksburg  to-day  a  furious  battle 
Las  been  going  on  since  daylight.  General  Bowen,  commanding,  says 
Le  is  outnumbered  terribly.  He  has  about  eight  thousand.  Enemy's 
army  can  cross  Bruinsburg,  below  Bayou  Pierre.  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Barteau  at  Attolona,  telegraphs  to  him  three  thousand  (3,000)  enemy 
crossed  Tallahatchie  at  New  Albany  yesterday.  Generel  Pemberton 
calls  for  heavy  reinforcements.  They  cannot  be  sent  without  giving 
up  Tennessee;  can  one  or  two  brigades  be  sent  from  the  east. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON,  General 


Tullahoma,  Tenn.,  May  1,  1863. 

General  S.  Cooper  : 

Reports  of  our  scouts  in  Kentucky  indicate  invasion  of  east  Ten- 
nessee by  a  strong  force  under  Burnside.  Cannot  our  troops  there 
I  e  reinforced  from  western  Virginia  or  elsewhere. 

(Signed.)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON,  General. 

(Official,) 
John  Withers,  Lt.  Col.  and  A.  A.  G. 
Respectfully  submitted  to  the  Secretary  of  War. 

Endorsed,  Viz  : 
Adjuant  General:    Telegraph  this   to  General   Sam  Jones.     Add, 
that  if  in  his  power  to  render  the  aid  he  will  do  so.     He  must  exercise 


37 

his  judgment  in  view  of  the  circumstances  of  the   situation   and  his 
.own  forces. 

J.   A.   B  . 
May  2,  1863.  fo   ■!  ry  of  War. 


Tullihoma,  Tekn.,  May  7,  18G3. 

To  General  S.  Cooper: 

Both  General  Peinberton  and  General  Maun    asfe    for   reinforce- 
ments, and  need  them  greatly.     It  is  reported   that  General  Foster's 
troops  have  left  South  Carolina.      Cannot   General    Beauregard    as  I 
Major  General  Jones  spare  troops  to   reinforce    Mississippi   and 
Tennessee 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON,  General. 


Tullahoma,   May  7,  18G3. 

To  General  S.  Cooper: 

I  have  just  received  the  painful  intelligence  of  the  death  <>f  the 
distinguished  Major  General  \ran  Dora,  which  occurred  this  morning 
at  Spring  Hill. 

(Signed,)  .1.    E.  JOHS  STOE 


9,  1863. 

General  S.  Cooper  : 

I  earnestly  recommend  to  the  War  Department  that  General  IV 

«<nnmand  he  extended  over  east  Tennessee.     It  is  of  great  impi  rtanc<  . 
(Signed,)  I   E.  JOHNS  !'!>N.  Gen 


C.   S.    A..    W  •.  I    Dl  PAftTMENT,  / 

J 

General  J.  E.  Johnston,  TvUahtma,  Tenn. : 

I'r.ceed  at   once  to    Mississippi    and    tai 
forces,  giving  to  those  in  the  field,  as  far  as  practicable,  the 
agement  and  benefit  of  your  personal  direction, 
for  temporary  service  with  you,  orto  bel 

I  good  tro  »pa  who  will 
by  a  large   Dumber   of   pi 

ire  and  reorganised,  rton. 

JStop  them  at  the  p-  >  i  n  t  mi  lien  I  to 


38 

You  will  find  reinforcements  from  General  Beauregard  to  General 
. 'emberton,  and  more  may  be  expected.     Acknowledge  receipt. 
(Signed.)  JAMES  A.  SEDDON, 

Secretary  of  War. 


Tullahoma,  May  9,  1863. 
Hon.  James  A.  Seddon: 

Your  dispatch  of  this  morning  received.     I  shall  go  immediately, 
although  unfit  for  field  service. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


Confederate  States  of  America,      } 

War  Department,  > 

Richmond,  May  13,  1863.  ) 

General  J.  E.  Johnston,  Jackson,  Mississsppi : 

In  addition  to  the  five  thousand  men  originally  ordered  from 
Charleston,  about  four  thousand  more  will  follow.  I  fear  more  cannot 
be  spared  to  you. 

(Signed,)  .  JAMES  A.  SEDDON. 

Secretary  of  War, 


Jackson,  Miss.,  May  13,  1863. 
'- o  James  A.  Seddon  : 

I  arrived  this  evening  finding  the  enemy*  (in?)  force  between  this 
/'ace  and  General  Pemberton,  cutting  off  the  communication.  I  am 
too  late.  ' 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON,  General. 


Calhoun  Station,  seven  miles  south  of  Canton,  ^ 
May  16,  1863,  1\  A.  M.  3 

'   on.  J.  A.  Seddon,  Richmond: 

.  Sir  :  I  reported  to  you  by  telegraph,  that  I  learned  on  arriving  in 
Jackson,  on  the  evening  of  the  13th,  that  a  Federal  army  had  just 
[laced  itself  at  Clinton,  on  the  railroad  to  Vicksburg,  ten  miles  from 

(*So  in  Original.) 


39 

Jackson.  The  brigades  of  Gregg  and  Walker  had  engaged  this  force 
the  day  before,  near  Raymond,  and  arrived  in  Jackson  as  I  did 
Brigadier  General  Gregg  estimates  the  force  which  he  met,  and  a  part 
of  which  he  encountered,  at  twenty-five  thousand. 

On  the  following  morning,  it  was  reported  that  a  large  body  of  Fed- 
eral troops  had  encamped  at  Raymond,  the  night  before;  and  about 
9  o'clock,  the  pickets  on  the  roads  from  Clinton  and  Raymond,  re- 
ported the  enemy  approaching,  and  about  four  miles  distant.  The  oppo- 
sition of  our  troops  delayed  the  enemy  sufficiently  to  enable  the  baggage 
to  be  withdrawn,  and  about  half  past  one  o'clock,  the  troops  followed, 
encamping  that  night,  six  and  a  half  miles  from  Jackson,  and  yester- 
day here,  ten  and  a  half  miles  further. 

A  dispatch  from  Lieutenant  General  Pemberton,  received  yesterday, 
informed  me  that  he  would  march  on  the  15th,  from  Edwards'  station 
to  a  point  seven  and  a  half  miles  west  of  Raymond. 

On  leaving  Jackson,  I  was  compelled  to  send  orders  to  the  troops 
coming  from  the  east,  to  halt.,  I  have  given  orders.to  provide  them 
with  field  transportation,  that  they  may  join  me,  to  unite  with  General 
Pemberton,  but  wagons  and  horses  must  be  brought  from  a  distance. 

The  force  with  me,  is  about  six  thousand.  General  Gist  command- 
ing the  halted  eastern  troops,  reported  them  yesterday  morning,  at 
fifteen  hundred. 

I  have  no  information  from  General  Pemberton,  except  of  his  move 
to  Dillon  with  seventeen  thousand  men. 

I  learned  at  Jackson,  that  a  brigade  holds  Port  Hudson.  I  have  no 
information  of  the  enemy's  force  except  that  written  above. 

My  object  is  to  unite  all  the  troops. 
Most  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON 

Endorsed  as  follows,  to  wit : 

"  Respectfully  referred  to  the  President  for  information. 

J.  A.  SEDDON. 
27th  May,  1863.  Secretary.1 

"  Read  and  returned  to  the  Secretary  of  War.  Do  not  perceivp 
why  a  junction  was  not  attempted,  which  would  have  made  our  force 
nearly  equal  in  number  to  the  estimated  strength  of  the  enemy  ;  and 
might  have  resulted  in  his  total  defeat,  under  circumstances  which 
rendered  retreat  or  reinforcement  to  him,  scarcely  :  Me. 

.1     D 


»'u  LTlOtf,  Maj    17,  1C 

To  General  S.  Cooper  : 

I  am  just  moving  west,  to  endeavour   to  join  J   Fembi I 


40 


Biigadier  General  Adams  has  reason  to  think  that  his  appointment 
was  not  confirmed.  I  hope  the  apprehension  is  groundless — he  is 
very  valuable — please  inform  me. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


Camp  between  Livingston  and  Brownsville,  May  18,  1863. 
General  S.  Cooper,  Richmond  : 

I  enclose  herewith,  a  copy  of  a  letter  received  last  night  from 
Lieutenant  General  Pemberton.  I  have  just  telegraphed  to  you  the 
information  it  contains,  and  added  that  a  Mr.  Shelton,  of  this  neigh- 
borhood, who  says  that  he  left  General  Pemberton's  headquarters 
yesterday,  wrote  to  me  last  night,  that  our  troops  had  fallen  back  to 
Vicksburg.  A  gentleman  who  said  that  he  was  just  from  Bovina, 
was  ,here  at  half  past  ten  last  night,  and  made  the  same  statement. 

I  was  preparing  to  join  General  Pemberton,  personally,  when  this 
information  came>.     It  is  now  impracticable,  and  would  be  useless. 

I  shall  endeavor,  after  collecting  all  available  troops,  to  hold  as 
much  of  the  country  as  possible. 

Besides  the  garrison  of  Port  Hudson,  the  strength  of  which  I  do 
not  know,  there  are  now  about  eleven  thousand  infantry  in  the  depart- 
ment, six  or  seven  thousand  more  may  soon  be  expected  ;  therefore, 
that  to  make  it  possible  to  relieve  Vicksburg,  very  large  reinforce- 
ments will  be  necessary.  1  hope  that  the  Government  will  send,  with- 
out delay,  all  that  can  possibly  be  spared  from  other  points. 

I  suppose  that  General  Pemberton's  force  before  the  battle,  includ- 
ing that  in  Vicksburg,  was  near  twenty-eight  thousand.  He  has 
provision  for  sixty  days.  If,  as  he  says,  Haines'  Bluff  is  untenable, 
the  enemy  using  navigation  of  the  Yazoo,  can  soon  reduce  him  by 
siege.  Whatever  efforts  the  Government  may  propose  to  make,  must 
therefore,  be  Carried  into  immediate  effect. 
Most  respectfully,  &c, 

J.  E.  JOHNSTON,  General. 


LETTER  ENCLOSED  IN  FOREGOING. 

Headquarters  Dep't.  of  Mississippi  and  East  Louisiana,  ) 

Bovina,  Miss.,  May  17,  1863.  } 

'Gen.  Jos.  E.  Johnston,  Calhoun,  Mississippi  : 

General:  I  notified  you,  on  the  morning  of  the  14th,  of  the  re- 
ceipt of  your  instructions,  to  move  and  attack  the  enemy  towards  Clin- 
ton. I  deemed  the  movement  very  hazardous,  preferring  to  remain 
in  position  behind  the  Big  Black,  and  near  to  Vicksburg.  I  called  a 
council  of  war,  composed  of  all  the  general  officers  who  were  then 
with  my  moveable  army,  and  placing  the  subject  before  them,  (includ- 
in  your  instructions,)  in  every  view  in  which  it  appeared  to  me,  asked 
their  opinions  respectively. 


41 

A  majority  of  the  officers  expressed  themselves  favorable  to  the 
movement  indicated  by  you.  The  others,  including  Major  Generals 
Loring  and  Stevenson,  preferred  a  movement  by  which  this  army 
might  endeavor  to  cut  off  the  enemy's  supplies  from  the  Missis- 
sippi. 

My  own  views  were  expressed  as  unfavorable  to  any  movement 
which  would  remove  me  from  my  base  which  was  and  is  Vicks- 
burg. 

I  did  not  see  fit,  however,  to  place  my  own  judgments  and  opinions 
so  far  in  opposition  as  to  prevent  the  movement  altogether ;  but,  be- 
lieving the  only  possibility  of  success  to  be  in  the  plan  proposed,  by 
cutting  off  the  enemy's  supplies,  I  directed  all  my  disposable  force, 
(say  17,501),)  towards  Raymond  or  Dillons,  encamping  the  night  of 
the  15th  at  Mrs  Ellison's,  on  the  main  Raymond  and  Edward's  Depot 
road,  at  a  fork  from  which  I  could  advance  either  to  Raymond  or  Dil- 
lons. 

About  7,  A.  M.,  on  the  16th,  the  enemy  advanced  his  skirmishers 
at  several  points.  Our  line  of  battle  was  quickly  formed,  and  the 
position  a  strong  one.  Heavy  demonstrations  were  made  on  our 
right,  left  and  centre.  Gradually,  however,  the  enemy  developed 
himself  in  great  force  against  our  left,  under  Gen.  Stevenson,  rein- 
forced, after  some  time,  by  Bowen's  division,  and  subsequently  by  two 
brigades  of  Loring's. 

The  enemy  wa|  repeatedly  driven  back,  but,  constantly  throwing 
iu  fresh  troops  from  his  heavy  reinforcements,  we  were,  about  5  P.  M., 
compelled  to  withdraw.  This  was  dune  by  the  ford  over  Baker's 
Creek,  (at  which  a  temporary  bridge  had  been  laid,)  crossing  the  mid- 
dle Raymond  road.  Our  loss  was  heavy.  We  have  lost  eleven  pieces 
of  artillery,  and  although  every  arrangement  was  made  to  secure  the 
retreat  of  our  troops,  General  Loring's  division,  which  was  compara- 
tively fresh,  and  which  covered  the  approach  to  the  ford,  has  not  yet 
crossed  the  Big  Black.  I  am  unable  to  account  for  his  absence,  as  I 
know  of  no  cause  sufficient  to  have  prevented  his  following  the  di- 
visions of  Bowen  and  Stevenson,  neither  of  whom  lost  a  man  on  the 
retreat. 

I  am  unable  to  give  further  particulars  at  present.  I  commanded 
in  person.  I  am,  for  the  present,  holding  the  Big  Black  briil^e, 
where  a  heavy  cannonading  is  now  going  on.  There  are  60  many 
points  by  which  I  can  be  flanked  that  I  fear  I  shall  be  compelled  to 
withdraw.  If  so,  the  position  at  Snyder's  Mill  will  also  be  un" 
ble. 

General  Tilghman  was  killed  yesterday.  I  have  about  sixty  days 
rations  in  Vicksburg  and  Snyder's.  I  respectfully  await  your  in- 
structions. 

Very  respectfully,  &c, 

J.  c.  PEMBERTON, 

Luulmant  Cnxcral  Commanding. 

P.  S. — I  regret  to  say  thit  some  of  Stevenson's  troops  bob  ive  1 
*ery  badly. 


42 


Camp  between  Livingston  and  Brownsville,  ) 
via  Jackson  and  Montgomery,  May  18.  \ 

General  S.  Cooper  . 

Lieutenant  General  Peinberton  was  attacked  by  the  enemy  on  the 
morning  of  the  5th,  near  Edward's  Depot,  and  after  nine  hours'  fight- 
ing, was  compelled  to  fall  back  behind  Big  Black. 

Mr.  Shelton,  of  this  neighborhood,  wrote  last  night  that  he  was 
just  from  Lieut.  Gen.  Pemberton's  headquarters,  and  that  the  army 
was  falling  back  to  Vicksburg.  Mr.  Robinson,  just  from  Bovina  last 
night,  made  the  same  report 

There  are  two  months  provisions  in  Vicksburg.  It  must  ultimately 
fall,  unless  we  can  assemble  an  army  to  relieve.  I  can  gather,  in  a 
few  days,  eleven  thousand,  besides  a  garrison  at  Port  Hudson.  Send 
us  Anderson's  cavalry  regiment  from  the  Isle  of  Hope,  Georgia  ;  we 
need  it  greatly. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON,  General. 


C.  S.   A.,  War  Department,      ) 
Richmond,  May  19th,   1862.  j 

General  J.  E.  Johnston,  Jackson,  Miss.  : 

The  following  dispatch  just  received  from  General  Bragg  : 

"  Shelbyville,  May  18. 
"  A  brigade  of  cavalry  from  north  Alabama  moved  to  Mississippi 
several  days  ago.     Another  division  is  ordered  to-day. 

"  (Signed,)  Braxton  Bragg." 

(Signed,)  JAMES  A.  SEDDON. 

Secretary  of  War. 


Jackson,  Miss.,  May  25,  1863. 
General  S.  Cooper  : 

It  is  important  that  I  should  know  what  troops  to  expect.     Please 
inform  me  and  have  them  urged  on  ;  they  come  too  slowly. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


Richmond,  Va.,  May  25,  1863. 
General  Jos.  E.  Johnston,  Jackson,  Miss. : 

General  Bragg  telegraphs  the  President,  the  23d,  that  he  sent  with 
you  three  thousand  five  hundred,  three  battalions  of  artillery  and 
two  thousand  cavalry,  and  will  dispatch  six  thousand  more  immediately. 
No  troops  have  been    ordered  from  this  quarter,  except  about  seven 


4S 

thousand  from  General  Beauregard's  command,  which  it  is  presumed 
have  already  joined  you. 

(Signed,)  S.  COOPER, 

Adft.  and  Inpcctor   General. 


Canton,  May  26,  1863. 

To  General  S.   Cooper  : 

Please  remind  the  President  that,  in  my  dispatch  of  the  21st,  1 
stated  that  two  (2)  major  generals  would  be  required  in  Mississippi. 
Let  me  urge  immediate  action.  Could  not  Brig.  Gen.  Davis'  brigade 
be  sent  ? 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON, 


LETTER. 

C.  S.   A.,  War  Department, 
Richmond,  May  87th,   1863. 

General  Jos.  E.  Johnston,  commanding,  §"c.  : 

General  :  Brigadier  General  J.  G.  Rains,  having  been  detailed  for 
duty  in  connection  with  torpedoes  and  sub-terra  shells,  has  been  or- 
dered to  report  to  you. 

The  President  has  confidence  in  his  inventions,  and  is  desirous  that 
they  should  be  employed  both  on  land  and  river,  if  opportunity  offers, 
atYicksburg  and  its  vicinity.  Should  communications  allow,  you 
are  desired  to  send  him  there  ;  but,  if  otherwise,  to  employ  him  in  his 
devices  against  the  enemy,  where  most  as'sailable  in  that  way,  else- 
where. All  reasonable  facilities  and  aid  in  the  supply  of  men  or 
material  for  the  fair  trial  of  his  torpedoes  and  shells,  are  requested  on 
your  part.  Such  means  of  offence  against  the  enemy  are  approve*! 
and  recognized  by  the  department  as  legitimate  weapons  of  warfare. 
With  high  esteem,  very  truly  yours, 
Bgmed,)  JAMES  A.  SEDDON. 

'ary  of  War 


Jackson,  May  17,  1863. 
To  the  Hon.  J.  A.  Seddon.  Secretary  of  War,  Richmond: 

Sik  :  Satnrdav  night,  May  9,  I  received,  at  TaHahoma,  yout  order, 
by  telegraphic  deepatcfa^to  proceed  to  Mississippi  and  take  immediate 

command  of  the  army.     I  started  the  next  morning. 

At  Like   Station   I  received  a  dispatch  from   Li  leral 

Pemberton,  directed  to  Tullahoma,  for  reinforcements,  as  tho 


44 

enemy  in  large  force  was  unving  easterly  from  tha  Mississippi,  south 
of  the  Big  Black,  and  stating  that  El  ward's  depot,  their  probable 
■destination,  would  be  the  battle-field. 

I  arrived  in  Jackson  on  Wednesday  evening.  May  13,  and  learned 
from  Brigadier  General  Gregg,  who  had  ju3t  arrived,  that  he  had  about 
5,000  men;  also  that  Sherman's  corps,  four  divisions,  occupied  Clin- 
ton. 

Immediately  I  dispatched  written  messages  by  couriers  to  Lieuten- 
ant General  Pemberton,  informing  him  of  my  arrival  and  of  the  occu- 
pation of  Clinton  by  Sherman's  corps,  four  divisions,  as  I  had  been 
informed.  I  urged  the  importance  of  re-establishing  communication, 
that  he  might  be  reinforced;  ordered  that  he  should-,  if  practicable, 
come  upon  the  enemy's  rear  at  once,  with  all  the  strength  he  could 
quickly  assemble  ;  informing  him  that  we  could  co-operate  in  such  an 
attack. 

On  Tuesday,  May  14,  after  all  preparation  had  been  completed,  and 
orders  to  Brigadier  Generals  Gist  and  Maxey  for  the  security  of  their 
commands  had  been  given,  I  evacuated  Jackson  about  noon,  being 
obliged  to  take  the  Canton  road  at  right  angles  to  that  upon  which 
the  enemy  approached. 

That  evening,  from  our  camp  about  six  miles  from  Jackson,  I  sent 
dispatch  toLieutenant  General  Pemberton,  informing  him  that  General 
Gregg  and  his  command  had  been  compelled  to  evacuate  Jackson,  and 
of  the  direction  taken ;  that  Brigadier  General  Gist  had  been  ordered 
to  assemble  the  approaching  troops  at  a  point  forty  or  fifty  miles  from 
Jackson,  and  Brigadier  General  Maxey  to  return  to  his  wagons,  and 
advised  to  join  Brigadier  General  Gist;  expressed  the  hope  that  this 
force  would  be  able  to  prevent  the  enemy  in  Jackson  from  drawing 
provision  from  the  east,  and  that  Brigadier  General  Gregg's  force 
would  be  able  to  keep  him  from  the  country  towards  Panola ;  in- 
quired if  the  enemy  could  not  be  cut  off  from  his  supplies  from  the 
Mississippi ;  and,  above  all,  should  the  enemy,  from  want  of  supplies, 
be  compelled  to  fall  back,  could  he  (General  Pemberton)  not  beat  him  ? 
I  strongly  urged  concentration  of  troops. 

On  Friday  morning,  May  15,  I  received  dispatch  from  Lieutenant 
General  Pemberton,  dated  5.40  P.  M.,  Edward's  depot,  May  14,  stating 
that  he  would  move  early  next  morning  with  a  column  of  seventeen 
thousand  men,  to  Dillons,  situated  on  the  main  road  leading  from  Ray- 
mond to  Port  Gibson,  seven  and  a  half  miles  below  Raymond,  and 
nine  and  a  h;;lf  miles  from  Edward's  depot,  to  cut  the  enemy's  com- 
munication, and  force  the  enemy  to  attack  him,  as  he  did  not  consider 
his  force  sufficient  to  justify  hi3  attacking  the  enemy  in  position,  or 
cutting ihis  way  to  Jackson.  This  dispatch  was  brought  by  Captain 
Yerger,  who  bore  the  dispatch  of  the  13th  instant  to  General  Pem- 
berton. m 

I  immediately  acknowledged  receipt  of  the  above  dispatch,  and  an- 
sered  General  Pemberton  that  our  movement  $o  the  north  rendered  his 
plan  of  junction  by  Raymond  impracticable,  and  ordered  him  to  move 
so  as  to  effect  a  junction,  and  to  communicate  with  me  so  that  I  might 
unite  to  his  force  about  six  thousand  men.     The  copy  of  this  dispatch 


45 

(sent  from  a  point  on  the  Jackson  and  Canton  road,  about  ten  miles 
from  Jackson,)  was  mislaid,  and  cannot  at  present  be  found. 

On  Saturday,  May  16,  at  Calhoun  station,  I  received  a  dispatch 
from  Lieutenant  General  Pemberton,  dated  9.10,  A.  M.,  Bovina,  May 
14,  stating  that  he  moves  at  once  from  Edward's  depot,  with  his  whole 
available  force;  explaining  disposition  of  his  troops,  and  closing  dis- 
patch by  stating  that  he  at  once  complies  with  my  order.  This  dis- 
patch I  received  in  the  afternoon,  having  waited  here  all  day  to  be 
advised  by  General  Pemberton  of  the  direction  of  his  movemerts. 
In  the  evening  of  the  same  day  I  received  a  dispatch  from  General 
Pemberton,  dated  8,  A.  M.,  four  miles  south  of  Edward's,  May  16, 
acknowledging  receipt  of  my  letter  written  from  the  Canton  road — 
stating  that  he  received  it  at  half-past  six  o'clock  that  morning;  that 
it  found  the  army  in  the  middle  road  to  Raymond ;  that  he  had  issued 
the  order  of  countermarch ;  that  owing  to  destruction  of  bridge  on 
Baker's  Creek  his  march  would  be  on  the  road  from  Edward's  depot  in 
the  direction  of  Brownsville ;  that  in  going  to  Clinton  he  would  leave 
Bolton's  Depot  to  the  right.  In  a  postscript  he  reported  heavy  skir- 
mishing then  going  on  his  front. 

On  Sunday,  May  17th,  I  marched  fifteen  miles  in  the  direction 
indicated  in  General  Pcmberton's  note,  and,  on  that  evening,  Captain 
Henderson  brought  me  a  letter  from  General  Pemberton,  dated  Bovina, 
May  17th,  giving  me  intelligence  of  his  being  compelled,  on  the  16th 
instant,  after  engaging  the  enemy,  to  withdraw,  with  heavy  loss,  to 
Big  Black  Bridge.  A  copy  of  this  letter  I  forwarded  thiit  night  to 
General  Cooper. 

General  Pemberton  expressed  fears  that  he  would  be  compelled  to 
fall  back  from  Big  Black  Bridge,  and,  if  so,  he  represented  that  the 
position  at  Snyder's  Mill  would  also  be  untenable. 

During  the  night  I  received  information  that  General  Pemberton 
had  fallen  back  to  Vicksburg.  I  then  determined,  by  easy  marches, 
to  establish  my  line  between  Jackson  and  Canton,  as  the  junction  of 
the  two  commands  had  become  impossible.  During  that  night,  after 
having  received  the  above  information,  I  sent  a  dispatch  to  General 
Pemberton,  that  if  Ilaynes'  Bluff  be  untenable  Vicksburg  is  of  no 
value,  and  cannot  be  held.  Evacuate  the  place,  if  not  rendered  too 
late  by  investment,  to  save  the  troops. 

On  Monday,  the  18th  instant,  near  Vernon,  I  received  a  letter  from 
General  Pemberton,  dnted  Vicksburg,  May  17th,  informing  me  that 
he  had  fallen  back  to  the  line  of  entrenchments  around  Vicksburg, 
having  been  attacked  and  forced  back  from  Big  Black  Bridge.  Also, 
that  he  had  ordered  the  abandonment  of  Snyder's  Mill 

On  the  1 9th  instant,  1  received  a  letter  from  General  Pemberton 
acknowledging  the  receipt  of  my  communication  in  reply  to  his 
brought  by  Captain  Henderson,  and  stating  that  he  assembled  a 
council  of  war  of  the  general  officers  of  his  command,  who  unnni 
raously  expressed  the  opinion  upon  my  instructions,  that  it  was  im- 
possible to  withdraw  the  army  from  Vicksburg  with  such  morale  and 
materiel  as  to  be  of  further  service  to  the  Confederacy. 


46 

On  the  19th  instaut,  I  sent  orders,  by  telegraphic  dispatches  and 
by  couriers,  to  Major  General  Gardner  to  evacuate  Port  Hudson. 

On  the  20th  and  2 1st  instant,  the  brigades  of  Generals  Gist,  Ector 
and  McNair,  joined  my  command.  The  last  troops  of  Brigadier 
General  Evans'  brigade,  arrived  on  the  day  before  yesterday. 

Major  General  Loring,  with  his  command,  arrived  here  about  the 
19th  instant,  and  Brigadier  General  Maxey's  brigade  on  the  23d 
instant. 

The  troops  above  mentioned,  with  General  Breckinridge's  division 
of  General  Bragg's  army,  will  make  a  force  of  about  twenty-three 
thousand  effective  men.  Grant's  army  is  estimated  at  sixty  thousand 
or  eighty  thousand  men,  and  his  troops  are  worth  double  the  number 
of  north-eastern  troops.  We  cannot  relieve  General  Pemberton, 
except  by  defeating  Grant,  who  is  believed  to  be  fortifying.  We  must 
make  the  attempt  with  such  a  force  as  the  Government  can  furnish 
for  the  object.  Unless  more  may  be  expected,  the  attempt  must  be 
made  with  the  force  now  here  and  that  coming.  If  possible,  however, 
additional  troops  should  be  sent  to  make  up  an  army  of  at  least  thirty 
thousand  men — infantry.  Even  that  force  would  be  small  for  the 
object. 

An  army  of  twenty-three  thousand  men,  for  offensive  operations 
against  Grant,  seems  to  me  too  small,  considering  his  large  force.  We 
need,  very  much,  good  general  officers. 

I  find  it  necessary  to  organize  an  army,  and  to  provide  for  it  sub- 
eistance,  ammunition  and  means  of  transportation. 

Most  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed.)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON,   General. 

"  Respectfully  referred  to  the  President  for  his  information. 

"J.  A.  SEDDON, 
"  Secretary  of  War." 

June  13th,  1863. 


Jackson,  May  23,  1863. 
To  Hon.  J.  A.  Seddon,  Secretary  of  War : 

I  respectfully  ask  that  surgeon  D.  W.  Yandell,  Medical  Director, 
Hardee's  corps,  be  assigned  as  medical  director  of  my  command.  He 
is  now  on  duty  with  me.     Be  pleased  to  answer  by  telegraph. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON,  General. 


Confederate  States  of  America,  War  Department,  ) 

Richmond,  May  30,  1863.      \ 

General  Jos.  E.  Johnston ■,  Jackson,  Miss. ; 

Surgeon  D.  W.  Yandell  will  be  assigned  as  you  desire. 

(Signed,  J.  A.  SEDDON,  Secretary  of  War. 


47 


Jackson,  June  2,  1863 
Hon.  J.  A.  Seddon,  Secretary  of  War : 

Your  letter  of  the  25th,  and  a  telegram  from  the  President,  show 
that  you  are  misinformed  as  to  the  force  at  my  disposal.  The  effective 
force,  infantry  and  artillery,  is,  from  Lieutenant  General  Pemberton, 
nine  thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty-one  ;*  from  General  Bragg,  seven 
thousand  nine  hundred  and  thirty-  nine  ;  from  General  Beauregard,  six 
thousand  two  hundred  and  eighty-three.  Total,  twenty-four  thousand  and 
fifty-three,  (24,053.) 

Brigadier  General  Jackson's  cavalry  not  arrived,  and  irregular 
troops  protecting  northern  and  southern  frontiers  not  included. 
Grant  is  receiving  continual  accession.  Tell  me  if  it  is  your  inten- 
tion to  make  up  the  number  you  gave  the  President  as  my  force,  or  if 
I  may  expect  more  troops.  With  the  present  force  we  cannot  succeed 
without  great  blunders  by  the  enemy.  Each  portion  of  this  dispatch 
in  cypher  is  independent  of  the  preceding. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON.' 


C.  S.  A.,  War  Department,      ^ 
Richmond,  June  3,  1863.  ) 

To  General  J.  E.  Johnston,  Jackson  : 

I  am  concerned*  at  your  telegram  to  the  President,  as  to  the  number 
of  your  forces.  I  had  reported  them  to  him  as  rather  more  than  thirty 
thousand — thus  made  up,  thirty  five  hundred  taken  with  you,  ten  thousand 
snt  from  Charleston,  twenty -five  hundred  cavalry  and  six  thousand  infan- 
try from  General  Bragg,  four  thousand,  at  least,  Under  Gregg  at  Jackson, 
on  your  arrival,  six  thousand  under  Ijoring.  In  addition,  I  suggested, 
you  might  have  a  brigade  or  so  from  Port  Hudson.  Where  was  the 
mistake  on  my  part? 

I  feel  intense  anxiety  as  to  your  plans,  and  should  be  gratified  to 
learn  them  as  far  as  you  deem  safe  to  inform. 

(Signed,)  JAMES  A.  SEDDON, 

Secretary  of  War. 


LITERAL  COPY  OF  DISPATCH  RECEIVED. 

Canton,  June  4,  1863. 
Hon.  J.  A.  Seddon,  Secretary  of  War  : 

Your  dispatch  of  yesterday,  received.     By  mistake,  on  your  part, 

•Words  in  italic  in  cypher. 


43 

is  that  all  your  numbers  are  too  large,  in  reference  to  Beauregard, 
nearly  as  ten  (10)  to  six  (6.)  The  troops  you  mention  including 
Jackson's,  just  arrived  are  less  than  fifty-  six  hundred*  My  only  plan 
is  to  reliive  Vicksburg,  my  force  is  far  too  small  for  the  purpose,  tell  me  if 
you  can  increase  it  and  how  much.  Grant  is  receiving  reinforcements. 
Port  Hudson  is  closely  invested.  The  great  object  of  the  enemy  for 
this  campaign,  is  to  acquire  possession  of  the  Mississippi.  Can  you 
collect  here  a  force  sufficient  to  defeat  the  object. 

(Signed,)  •  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


LETTER, 

Canton,  June  5,  1863. 


Hon.  J.  A.  Seddon  : 


Dear  Sir  :  I  thank  you  cordially  for  your  kind  letter  of  May  25th; 
but  almost  regret  that  you  feel  such  confidence  in  me  as  is  expressed 
in  it.  From  the  present  condition  of  affairs,  I  fear  that  confidence 
dooms  you  to  disappointment.  Every  day  gives  some  now  intelligence 
of  the  enemy's  strength — of  reinforcements  on  the  way  to  him.  My 
first  intention,  on  learning  that  Lieutenant  General  Pemberton  was 
in  Vicksburg,  was  to  form  an  army  to  succor  him.  I  suppose,  from 
my  telegraphic  correspondence  with  the  Government,  that  all  the 
troops  to  be  hoped  for  have  arrived.  Our  resources  seem  BQ  amall  and 
those  of  the  enemy  so  great,  that  the  relief  of  Vicksburg  is  beginning 
to  appear  impossible  to  me.  Pemberton  will  undoubtedly  make  a 
gallant  and  obstinate  defence,  and  hold  out  as  long  as  he  can  make 
resistance ;  but  unless  we  assemble  a  force  strong  enough  to  break 
Grant's  line  of  investment,  the  surrender  of  the  place  will  be  a  mere 
question  of  time.  General  Grant  is  receiving  reinforcements  almost 
daily.  His  force,  according  to  the  best  information  to  be  had,  is 
more  than  treble  that  which  I  command.  Our  scouts  say,  too,  that 
he  has  constructed  lines  of  circumvallation  and  has  blocked  up  all 
roads  leading  to  his  position. 

The  enterprize  of  forcing  the  enemy's  lines  would  be  a  difficult  one, 
to  a  force  double  that  at  my  disposal.  If  you  are  unable  to  increase 
that  force  decidedly,  I  must  try  to  accomplish  something  in  aid  of  the 
besieged  garrison,  and  yet  when  considering  it,  it  seems  to  me  despe- 
rate. Yur  suggestion  to  General  Kirby  Smith,  was  promptly  dis- 
patched to  him.  I  have  no  doubt  that  the  time  is  favorable  for  attack- 
ing Helena. 

In  replying  by  telegraph  to  your  letter  and  telegrams,  I|have  said 
that  if  you  can  increase  this  army,  it  should  be  done,  if  you  cannot, 
nothing  is  left  for  us  but  to  struggle  manfully  with  such  means  ai  the 
Government  can  furnish. 


*Woras  in  italic  sent  in  cipher 


49 

I  beg  you  to  consider,  in  connection  with  affairs  in  this  department, 
that  I  have  had  not  only  to  organize,  but  to  provide  means  of  tr 
portation  and  supplies  of  all  sorts  for  an  army.  The  artillery  is  not 
yet  equipped.  All  of  Lieutenant  General  Pemberton's  supplies  were 
of  course,  with  his  troops  about  Vicksburg  and  Port  Hudson.  I  found 
myself,  therefore,  without  subsistence  stores,  ammunition,  or  the  means 
of  conveying  those  indispcnsables.  It  has  proved  more  difficult  to 
collect  wagons  and  provisions  than  I  expected.  We  have  not  yet  the 
mea.ns  of  operating  for  more  than  four  days  away  from  the  rail- 
roads— that  to  Vicksburg  i3  destroyed. 

We  draw  our  provision  from  the  northern  part  of  the  State, 
protection  of  that  country  employs  about  twenty-five  hundred  in 
lar  cavalry.     It  is  much  too  small      I  am  endeavoring  to  mere:; 
by -calling  for  volunteers,  but  am  by  no  means  sanguine  as  to  the  re- 
sults. 

Most  respectfully, 

Your  obedienfservant, 
(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


Richmond,  Va.,  June  5,  1SG3. 
General  J.  E.  Johnston  : 

The  mistake  was  not  mine,  as  I  rested  on  official  reports  0/  numbers 
sent.*     I  regret  my  inability  to  promise  more  troops,  as  we  have  drained 
resources  even  to  the  danger  of  several  points.     You  know  best  concern- 
ing General  Bragg* &  army,  but  I  fear  to  withdraw  more..'     We  are  t 
outnumbered  in  Virginia  to  sp:rc  any.      You  must  r;ly  on  what  you 
and  the  irregular  forces  Mississippi  can  afford.    Your  judgment  an<; 
are   fully  relied  on,  but  I  venture  the  suggestion,  that,  to  relieve  Vicks- 
burg, speedy  act>on  is  essential.       With  the  facilities  and  resources  0 
eremy,  time  works  against  uv. 

(Signed,)  J.  A.  SBDDUN. 

Secretary  of   I 


Canton,  June  5,  1  " 
Hon.  J.  A.  Sedd 

Grant  still  receives  reinforcements.  B  I  >uta  near  Friar'i 
report  eight  boats  loaded  with  troops  passed  down  Monday  and 
day.     Twelve  empty  transports  passed  up. 

(Signed,)  J.   E.  JOHl 

•Words  in  italic  in  cypher. 


51) 


Canton,  June  5,  1863. 
Hon.  J.  A.  Seddon; 

Brigadier  General  Whitfield,  who  was  ordered  to  report  to  me  when 
I  was  in  Tennessee,  but  could  not,  has  just  done  so.     What  is  your 
intention  in  regard  to  him  ?     I  am  informed  that  it  will  be  very  unfor- 
tunate* for  him  to  command  the  brigade  to  which  he  has  belonged. 
(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


Richmond,  June  8,  1863. 
To  General  J.  E.  Johnston,  Canton,  Miss.  : 

General  Whitfield*  was  believed  to  be  peculiarly  acceptable  to  his 
brigade.  What  is  the  objection  ?  Do  you  advise  more  reinforcements 
from  General  Bragg  ?  You,  as  commandant  of  the  department,  have 
power  solo  order,  if  you,  in  view  of  the  whole  case,  so  determine.  We 
cannot  send  from  Virginia  or  elsewhere,  for  we  stand  already  not  one  io 
two. 

(Signed,)  J.  A.  SEDDON, 

Secietary  of  War. 


June  8,  1863. 


General  S.  Cooper 


The  following  is  just  received  from  Captain  Thomas  Henderson,  of 
scout  service :  "  Panola,  Miss.,  June  6,  1863.  Scout  Wilson  reports 
eleven  (11)  o'clock  yesterday,  since  Sunday  seventeen  (17)  transports 
with  troops,  gone  down  the  river  from  Memphis.  All  came  from 
railroad.  Grant  orders  all  forces  possible  sent  him.  Eight  thousand 
(8,0UU)  wounded  arrived,  and  large  arrangements  made  for  more. 

(Signed,)  "  Thomas  S.  Henderson." 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


Canton,  June  9,  1863,  via  Montgomery,  10. 
Hon.  James  A.  Seddon: 

Your  dispatch  of  yesterday  in  cypher  was  received,  but  cannot  be 
read.     Please  repeat  it. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 

-Words  in  italic  in  cypher. 


31 


Jackson,  June  III,  1863. 
Hon.  J.  A.  Seddon,  Secretary  of  War  : 

Your  dispatch  of  June  8th,  in  cypher,  received.  You  <k>  not  give 
orders  in  regard  to  the  recently  appointed  general  officers.  StoaM  do 
it.  I  have  not  (?)  at  my  half  the  number  of  troops  necessary.  It  is  for 
the  Government  to  determine  what  department,  if  any,  can  furnish 
the  reinforcements  required.  I  cannot  know  here  General  Bnigg's 
wants  compared  with  mine.  The  Government  can  make  such  com- 
parisons.    Your  dispatch  is  imperfectly  deciphered. 

(Signed,)  J.  B,  JOHNSTON. 


Jackson,  June  12,  I8f>3. 

Hon.  J.  A.  Seddon,  Secretary  of  War: 

Your  dispatch  of  the  eighth  (8th)  imperfectly  deciphered  and  par- 
tially ;mswered  on  the  10th.  I  have  not  considered  myself  com- 
manding in  Tennessee  since  assignment  here,  and  should  not  have  felt 
authorized  to  take  troops  from  that  department,  after  having  been 
informed  by  the  Executive  that  no  more  could  be  spared.  To  take  frorn 
Bragg  a  force  jvhich  would  make  this  array  fit  to  oppose  Grant  would 
involve  y>  Iding  Tennessee.  It  is  for  the  Government  to  decide  between 
tkii  Sta'r  and  Tennessee. 

(Signed^  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


Camden,  June  13,  1863. 
GhoMral  S.  Cooper  : 

Scout,  at  Friar's  Foint,  on  the  9th  instant,  reports  nine  transport 

full  of  infantry  and  artillery  went  down  the  river  since  Sunday.     Force 

suppop.d  to  be  about  thirteen  thousand  (13,00(1.)     In  addition  to  the 

ribove,  same  scout  reports  fourteen   more  transports,  crowded  wit:: 

nfantry  and  artillery,  went  down  the  river  on  the  10th  instant. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


Jackson,  June  15,  I v 

Hon.  J  \me."  A.  Sr.nnoN  : 

Your  repeated  dispatch  of  the  8th  is  deciphered.     I  i 
n  regard  to  the  points  from  which   troops  can   best  be   taken,  having 
no  means  of  knowing ;  nor  is  it  for  me  to  judge  which  it  ia  be«t,  yiel'i 


(or  hold)  Mississippi  or  Tennessee ;  that  is  for  the  Government  to" 
determine.  Without  some  great  blunder  of  the  enemy,  Tve  cannot 
hold  both.  The  odds  against  me  are  much  greater  than  those  you 
express.     I  consider  saving  Vicksburg  hopeless. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


Confederate  States  of  America,      \ 
War  Department, 
Richmond,  June  16,  1863.  y 


General  J.  E.  Johnston: 


Your  telegram  grieves  and  alarms  me*  Vicksburg  must  not  be  lost 
without  a  desperate  struggle.  The  interest  and  honor  of  the  Confederacy 
forbid  it.  I  rely  on  you  still  to  avert  the  loss.  If  better  resources  do  not 
offer,  you  must  hazard  attack.  It  may  be  made  in  concert  with  the  gar- 
rison, if  practicable,  but  otherwise  without,  by  day  or  night  as  you 
i  think  best. 

(Signed,)  JAMES  A.  SEDDON, 

Secretary  of  War. 


Jackson,  June  16,  1863. 
j  Ion.  James  A.  Ssddon  : 

General  Bragg  informs  me  that  a  telegram  from  Louisville,  of  the 
I  Oth,  says  that  part  of  the  ninth  and  third  corps  have  been  sent  to 
reinforce  Grant.  Will  not  this  enable  us  to  invade  Kentucky*  For 
this,  General  Bragg's  command  should  extend  over  east  Tennessee. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON,  General. 


Jackson,  June  19,  1863. 
!  lion.  J.  A.  Set>bon: 

A  courier  has  arrived  here  with  dispatches  from  General  Gardner, 
of  the  10th  instant.  The  courier  reports  the  garrison  in  good  spirits. 
General  Gardner  states,  that  he  has  repulsed  the  enemy  in  several 
severe  attacks,  but  he  is  still  closely  invested  ;  that  he  is  getting  short* 
of  provisions  and  ammunition,  and  should  be  speedily  relieved. 

(Signed,)  .J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


•Words  in  italic  in  cypher. 


53 


Jackson,  June  19,  1863. 
Hon.  J.  A.  Seddon: 

Dispatch  of  the  IGth  recoived.  I  think  that  you  do  not  appreciate 
the  difficulties  in  the  course  you  direct,  nor  the  probabilities  or  conse- 
quence of  failure.  Grant's  position,  naturally  very  strong,  is 
entrenched  and  protected  by  powerful  artillery,  and  the  roads 
obstructed.  His  reinforcements  have  been  at  least  equal  to  my  v)holc 
force  *  The  Big  Black  cove>s  him  from  attack,  and  would  cut  off  our 
retreat  if  defeated.  We  cannot  combine  operations  with  General  Pem- 
berton  from  uncertain  and  storef  conununication.  The  defeat  of  this  little 
army  would  at  once  open  Mississippi  and  Alabama  to  Grant.  I  will  do 
all  I  can,  without  hope  of  doing  more  than  aid  to  extricate  the  garrison. 
(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


Jackson,  Juno  20,  18G3. 
Hon.  J.  A.  Seddon,  Secretary  of  War  : 

On  arriving  here,  I  informed  General  Kirby  Smith  of  the  condition 
of  Vicksburg  and  Port  Hudson*,  and  requested  his  aid  and  co-ojhratl  n, 
which  he  has  given. 

General  Taylor  with  eight  thousand  men  is  opposite  Vicksburg,  and 
temporarily  occupies  M i Hi ken'' s  Bend  and  other  points  on  the  river.  The 
presence  of  this  force  is  encouraging.  Nothing  can  be  done  by  US  to 
relieve  Port  Hudson,  which  is  in  imminent  peril.  General  Taylor  will 
make  such  demonstrations  opposite  Port  Hudson  as  he  can. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


Richmond,  June  21,  186S. 
General  .1.  E.  JOHNSTON,  Jackson  : 

Yours  of  the  10th  received.     Conseqtunrrs*  arc  realized  and  diffn 
are  recognized  as  very  great,  but  still  think,    ot  fcl  failing,  the 

coui>e  recommended  should  be  hazarded.      Tfie  aim,  in   my  judgment, 
justifies  any  risk  ami  ell  />r  >babfe  consequences. 

signed,)  .JAMES   A.   BEDDON, 

I -try  of   1 1 


Is  in  iiahc  in  - 


54 


Richmond,  Va.,  June  21,  1863". 

General  Joseph  E.  Johnston,  Jackson  : 

Only  my  conviction  (of  almost  imperative  necessity  for  action)  in- 
duces the  official  dispatch  I  have  just  sent  you.  On  every  ground  I 
have  great  deference  to  your  superior  knowledge  of  the  position,  your 
judgement  and  military  genius,  but  I  feel  it  right  to  share — if  need 
be,  to  take  the  responsibility,  and  leave  you  free  to  follow  the  most 
desperate  course  the  occasion  may  demand.  Rely  upon  it,  the  eyes 
and  hopes  of  the  whole  Confederacy  are  upon  you,  with  the  full  con- 
fidence that  you  will  act ;  and  with  the  sentiment  that  it  were  better 
to  fail,  nobly  daring,  than,  through  prudence  even,  to  be  inactive,  I 
look  to  attack  in  last  resort,  but  rely  on  your  resources  of  generalship 
to  suggest  less  desperate  modes  of  relief.  I  can  scarce  dare  to  sug- 
gest, but  might  it  not  be  possible  to  strike  Banks  first  and  unite  the 
garrison  of  Port  Hudson  with  you,  or  to  secure  sufficient  co-opera- 
tion from  General  Smith,  or  to  practically  besiege  Grant  by  opera- 
tions with  artillery  from  the  swamps,  now  drv,  on  the  north  side  of  the 
Yazoo,  below  Haynes'  Bluff.  I  rely  on  you  for  all  possible  to  save 
Vicksburg. 

(Signed,)  J.  A.  SEDDON. 


Jackson,  June  22,  1863. 
Hon.  J.  A.  Seddon  : 

Positive  information  has  just  been  received  from  General  E.  K. 
Smith  that  fifty-seven  transports  troops  passed  Napoleon  on  the  1 1th 
and  12th  last,  going  down  the  Mississippi  river. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


Canton,  June  22,  1863. 

Hon.  J.  A.  Seddon,  Secretary  of  War: 

Your  dispatch  of  2 1st  received,  but  cannot  be  deciphered.     Please 
repeat  it  using  (?)  as  few  words  as  possible  in  cypher. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


Jackson,  June  23,  1863. 
Hon.  James  A.  Seddon  : 

General  Ruggles  reports  that  on  the  20th  instant,  attacked  the 


J55 

•enemy,  eight  hundred  strong,  with  two  guns,  near  Rocky  ford  on  Tal- 
lahatchie. Routed  him  completely  ;  captured  his  baggage  train,  am- 
munition and  supplies,  killing  about  fifty.     Our  loss  small. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


Canton,  June  24,  1863. 

Ulon.  Jakes  A.  Seodon  : 

Your  two  dispatches  of  21st  received.  There  has  been  no  volun- 
tary inaction.  When  I  came,  all  military  materials  of  the  department 
were  in  Vicksburg  and  Port  Hudson.  Artillery  had  to  be  brought 
from  the  cast ;  horses  for  it  and  all  field  transportation*  procured  in 
nn  exhausted  country  ;  much  from  Georgia  brought  over  wretched 
railroads,  and  provisions  collected.  I  have  not  had  the  means  of  mov- 
ing. We  ca~ not 'Contend  with  the  enemy  north  of  the  Yazoo.  He 
can  place  a  large  fcrce  there  in  a  few  hours — we,  a  small  one,  in  ten 
or  twelve  days.  We  cannot  relieve  Port  Hudson  without  giving  up 
Jackson,  by  which  we  should  lose  Mississippi.  Kirby  Smith  sent 
troops  to  give  all  possible  cid  to  Vicksburg,  but  they  have  not  been 
used  by  their  commanders. 

(Signed,)  J.   E.  JOHNSTON,  General. 


Richmond,  June  26,  1863. 
General  Joseph  E   Johnston,  Jackson,  Miss: 

I  have  just  received  reliable  information,  through  a  friend  from 
Baltimore,  that  Grant  telegraphed  for  supplies  and  ammunition  ;  both 
failing.  Train  of  cars  laden  with  such  was  sent  through  Baltimore  tea 
days  ago,  marked  for  Yazoo  city,  to  proceed  via  Cairo,  under  charge 
of  a  person  friendly  to  the  South  and  anxious  to  have  a  chance  to  yield 
ihem  to  capture.     This  may  possibly  prove  useful. 

(Signed,)  JAMES  A.  SEDDON. 

Secretary  of  War. 


Jackson,  June  19,  1863. 

To  General  S.  Cooper  : 

The  following  dispatch  has  iust  been  recei 

(Signed,)  .  '  J.  E.  J0HH8T0N,  Gtrmwl. 


5G 


"  Alexandria,  June  26..  1863,  ) 
"  via  Natchez,  27.  \ 

"  General  J.  E.  Johnston  : 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that,  on  the  23rd  instant,  General 
Taylor  stormed,  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  with  unloaded  muskets, 
the  enemy's  position  at  Berwick's  Bay,  capturing  over  one  thousand 
(1,000)  prisoners,  ten  heavy  guns,  and  a  large  amount  of  stores  of 
all  descriptions — the  position  of  Thibodeaux  was  also  carried.  This 
gives  him  command  of  the  Mississippi  river  above  New  Orleans,  and 
will  enable  him,  in  a  great  measure,  to  cut  off  Banks'  supplies. 
"  (Signed.)  E.  Sorget, 

"  Assistant  Adjutant  General" 


TELEGRAM. 

Jackson,  July  7,  1863. 

lion.  J.  A.  Seddon  : 

Yicksburg  capitulated  on  the  4th  instant.  Garrison  was  paroled, 
and  are  to  be  returned,  the  officers  retaining  their  side  arms  and  per- 
sonal baggage.  This  intelligence  was  brought  by  an  officer  who  left 
the  place  on  Sunday  the  5th.  In  consequence,  lam  falling  back  from 
the  Big  Black  river  to  Jackson. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON,  General. 


Richmond,  July  7,  1SC3. 

To  General  Joseph  E.  Johnston,  Jackson, 

A  telegram  of  the  5th  instant,  signed  "  Woodson,"  approved  by 
T.  B.  Lamar,  chief  of  staff,  informing  of  the  fall  of  Vicksburg, 
is  just  received.  Telegraph  if  this  be  true,  and  any  particulars 
known, 

(Signed,)  JAMES  A.  SEDDON, 

Secretary  of  War. 


Jackson,  July  8,  1863. 

Hon.  J.  A.  Seddon  : 

Your  dispatch  of  the  seventh  (7th)  received.  The  following  was 
sent  you  yesterday  directly  after  the  intelligence  of  the  fall  of  Vicks- 
burg was  received  :  "  Yicksburg  capitulated  on   the  fourth  (4th)  in- 


57 

stant.  The  garrison  was  paroled,  and  are  to  be  returned  to  our  lines, 
the  officers  retaining  their  side  arms  and  personal  baggage.  This 
intelligence  was  brought  by  an  officer  who  left  the  place  on  Sun- 
day, the  fifth  (oth)  instant.  In  consequence,  I  am  falling  back  from 
the  Big  Black  to  Jackson. 

(Signed.)  «  J.  E.  Johnston." 

Colonel  Montgomery  has  just  arrived  from  Yicksburg.  lie  was  di- 
rected by  General  Pcmberton  to  have  supplies  prepared  at  this  place 
for  twenty  two  thousand  men,  the  paroled  garrison  of  Vicksburg. 

(Signed..)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


Jackson,  July  8,  IbGi). 

To  General  S.  Cooper  :  # 

The  paroled  garrison  of  Yicksburg  will  be  here  in  a  few  days. 
What  shall  be  done  with  the  men  ?  They  cannot  remain  in  this  de- 
partment without  great  injury  to  us  from  deficiency  of  supplying  them. 
Shall  they  go  to  their  homes  until  exchanged,  or  be  distributed  in 
regiments  in  their  respective  States  ?  Can  they  be  exchanged  im- 
mediately for  prisoners  taken  in  the  recent  great  Confederate  victory  f 
(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


Richmond,  July  8,  1863. 

To  General  J.  E.  Johnston,  Jackson,  Miss.  : 

Inform  fully  as  you  know  of  the  terms  of  capitulation  of  Yicks- 
burg, especially  the  position  of  officers  and  men,  in  relation  to  parolo 
and  power  of  exchange. 

(Signed.)  J.  A.  SEDDON, 

Secretary  of  War. 


•  I  m  KSOM,  -Inly  •'>.    I    63. 

Hon.  J.  A.   Bcdo 

I  have  nothing  official    of  capitulation  of  Vicksburg.      An  "iii 
the  garrison  told  me  that  the  terms  were  those  I  the  troops  to 

be  paroled  and  sent  into  our  lines  as  BOOfl  ■>-  fofna  ifl  C  implie  !  .  ofl 
to  retain  baggage  and  side  arms  ;  soldiers  their  clothing.  Prori 
being  cxi.  ral  officer*  ncral 

Pemoerton.     I  have  not  heard  of  the  garrison. 

(Signed,)  .1.    K.   JOH3 


58 


Jackson,  Miss.,  July  9,  1863. 

To  the  President : 

The  enemy  is  advancing  in  two  columns  on  Jackson,  now  about  four 
miles  distant.  I  shall  endeavor  to  hold  the  place,  as  the  possession  of 
Mississippi  depends  on  it.     His  force  is  about  double  ours. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


Confederate    States  of  America,      \ 

Executive  Dapartment,  > 

Richmond,  July    10th,   1863.      ) 

Hon.  Secretary  of  Wor  : 

The  following  telegram  was  received  by  President,  and  is  forwarded 
to  you  for  your  information 

Most  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  WM.  PRESTON  JOHNSTON, 

Colonel  and  A.  J).  C. 

BY  TELEGRAPH  FROM  JACKSON,  MISS. 

"  To  his  Excellency,  the  President : 

u  Your  dispatch  of  yesterday  received.  No  report  of  Taylor's 
junction  has  reached  me,  as  it  must  have  done  if  true,  as  we  have  1 ,200 
cavalry  in  that  vicinity.     I  hear  nothing  official  from  Vicksburg. 

"  Major  Jacob  Thompson,  of  General  Pemberton's  staff,  gives  me 
the  following  list :  Lieutenant  General  Pemberton,  Major  Generals 
Stevenson,  Forney,  M.  L.  Smith  and  Bowen ;  Brigadier  Generals 
•Barton,  Lee,  Cumming,  Moore,  Baldwin,  Hebert,  Vaughn,  Shoup  ; 
Colonels  Reynolds,  Waul  and  Cockerill,  commanders  brigades ;  also 
Brigadier  General  Harris,  of  Missouri  militia. 

(Signed,)  t  "J.  E.  Johnston." 

Endorsed  : 

"  Referred  to  Col.  Ould  for  information  as  to  general  officers  for 
exchange. 

»  J.  A.  S.,  Sec:* 

July  11th,  1863. 


C.  S.  A.,  War  Department, 
Richmond,  July  10,  1863. 
General  J.  E.  Johnston,  Jackson,  Miss.  : 
To  afford  facilities  for  exchange,  at  the  earliest  period,  telegraph  as 


59 

soon  as  you  know  the  number  of  privates,  sergeants,  corporals,  lieu- 
tenants, captains,  majors,  lieutenant  colonels,  colonels,  brigadiers,  and 
generals,  designating,  as  far  as  practicable,  the  number  of  the  fore- 
going belonging  to  each  regiment ;  at  any  rate,  send  the  designation 
of  the  regiments  captured.  After  full  lists  are  prepared,  you  will 
send  them  on  without  delay,  but  telegraph  only  as  above. 

(Signed,)  J.  A.  SEDDON, 

Secretary  of  War. 


Jackson,  July  14,  1863. 
To  General  S.  Cooper  : 

General  Pemberton  has  recommended  that  his  troops  be  furloughed. 
Should  the  recommendation  be  adopted,  it  will  have  an  injurious  effect 
upon  this  army,  unless  the  paroled  troops  are  first  moved  to  a  distance. 
I  suppose  that  they  should  move  to  the  camp  at  Demopolis,  and  have 
so  informed  General  Pemberton. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


C.  S.  A.,  War  Department,      ) 
Richmond,  July  16,  1864.  ) 
To  Gen.  J.  E.  Johnston,  Jackson,  Miss.  : 

The  following  officers,  having  been  duly  exchanged,  are  released 
from  parole,  and  at  liberty  to  return  to  service:  Lieutenant  General 
J.  C.  Pemberton,  Major  Generals  Stevenson,  Forney,  M.  L.  Smith, 
and  Bowen  ;  Brigadier  Generals  Barton,  Lee,  Cumming,  Moore,  He- 
bert,  Baldwin,  Vaughan,  and  Shoup ;  Colonels  Reynolds,  Waul,  and 
Cockcrill,  commanding  brigades;  also,  Brigadier  General  Harris, 
Missouri  militia. 

(Signed,)  JAMES  A.  SEDDON, 

Secretary  of  War. 


C.  S   A.,  War  Department,  A.  k  I.  Gen's  Office, 
Richmond,  Ya.,  July  22,    1863. 
General  Johnston,  Morton,  Miss.  : 

In  conformity  with  your  expressed  wish,  you  are  relieved  from  the 
further  command  of  the  department  of  Tennessee,  which,  as  advised 
by  you,  is  united  to  that  of  East  Tennessee,  sr>  as  to  extend  General 
Bragg's  command  over  the  department  of  General  Buckner. 

(Signed,)  B.   COOPEK, 

A.  tf  I.  General. 


60 


LETTER. 


C.  S.  A.,  War  Department,  ) 
Richmond,  Va.,  July  24,  1863.       < 
General  Joseph  E.  Johnston,  commanding,  Sfc.  : 

General  :  The  President  of  the  Mississippi  Central  Railroad  tele- 
graphs that  you  have  ordered  the  destruction  by  fire  of  railroad  equip- 
ments, to  the  value  of  five  millions  dollars.  The  President  directs 
that  efforts  be  made  to  bring  away  the  equipments,  which  should  be 
taken  down  the  road,  for  removal,  as  far  as  may  be  necessary. 
Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed,)  JAMES  A.  SEDDON, 

Secretary  of  War, 


LETTER. 

C.  S.  A.,  War  Department,      > 
Richmond,  July  21,  1863.  \ 
General  J.  E.  Johnston,  commanding,  §c.  : 

General  :  If  you  have  not  had  occasion  to  use  the  funds  transmit- 
ted through  Commodore  Barron,  you  will  please  return  them  by  the 
first  safe  opportunity,  as  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  from  whose  ap- 
propriations they  were  drawn,  needs  the  amount  for  sterling  exchange. 
With  high  regard,  your  obedient  servant, 

(Signed,)  JAMES  A.  SEDDON, 

Secretary  of  War. 


Morton,  July  24,  1863. 
General  S.  Cooper  : 

Your  dispatch  of  22d,  relieving  me  from  command  of  department  of 
Tennessee,  received.  Major  General  Maury  thinks  attack  on  Mobile 
threatening.  I  request  that  Clayton's  brigade,  belonging  to  Mobile 
garrison,  and  sent  by  me  to  General  Bragg  in  emergency,  may  be 
ordered  back  immediately.  Major  General  Maury  has  but  twenty- 
five  hundred  men  for  land  defence. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


Morton.  July  24,  1863. 
His  Excellency,  the  President  : 

Brigadier  General  Cosby  reports  that  the  enemy's  rear  guard  left 


61 

Jackson  yesterday,  towards  Vicksburg,  and  that  Colonel  Torn  Taylor 
met  General  Sherman  at  Edward's  Depot,  and  was  told  by  him  that 
his  troops  would  not  stay  a  day  in  Vicksburg,  but  instantly  move  up 
the  river.  Does  this  indicate  reinforcing  Meade?  A  deserter  said 
yesterday  that  these  troops  expect  to  go  to  Richmond. 

(Signed,)  %  J.  B.  JOHNSTON. 

The  above  dispatoll  was  in  cypher. 


C.  S.  A  ,  War  Department,      } 

Richmond,  July  25,  1863.  J 

General  J.  E.  Johnston,  Morton,  Miss  : 

I  am  requested  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  to  instruct  that 
all  cotton  belonging  to  the  Government,  liable  to  fall  into  the  hands 
E>f  the  enemy,  which  cannot  be  removed,  be  destroyed. 

(Signed,)  JAMES  A.  SEDDON, 

tary  of  IVar. 


Adjutant  and  Inspector  General's  Office,  ^ 
Richmond,  July  25,  1363.      } 

Spf.civl  Orders,  No.  176. 

Extract. 

VI.   The  department  of  East  Tennessee  is  merged  in  the  department  of 
.  winch  will  be  separate  and  independent,  reporting  directly 
to  this  office. 

Y1I.  The  limits  of  the  department  of  Tennessee  will  embrace  the 
country  now  included  in  the  department  of  East  Tennessee,  and  west 
of  the  Blue  Ridge  mountains,  in  North  Carolina,  and  a  line  running 
south  to  the  Georgia  railroad,  thence  along  the  lines  of  railroad,  via 
Atlanta,  to  West  Point,  and  from  that  place  north  to  the  Tennessee 
liver,  and  down  that  stream  to  its  mouth. 

*  #  ••.•••• 

J>y  command  of  the  Secretary  of  War. 

JNO.  WITHERS, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


TELEGRAM. 

!tr,  July  29,  18C;'. 
General  S.  Cooper  : 

I  came  here  because  Major  General  Maury  apprehends  attack.     Hi- 
?couts  at  Ponsacola  report   Admiral  Farregnt  went  north  yesterday, 


62 

which  indicates  no  attack.     Officers  from  Vicksburg  report  that  all 
droops  go  up  the  river. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


Received  at  Richmond,  July  30,  1863,  ) 
By  telegraph  from  Mobile,  29.      ) 

To  General  S.  Cooper  : 

What  is  the  extent  of  my  command.     I  return  to  Morton  to  night, 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 

A.  &  I.  G.  Office,  Richmond,  Va.,  January,  1864,  official  copy. 


Morton,  July  30,  1863. 

Hon.  J.  A.  Seddon  :  * 

I  conversed,  this  morning,  with  Major  Matthews,  of  the  artillery, 
just  from  Vicksburg,  who  says  that  one  of  Major  General  M.  L. 
Smith's  staff  told  him  that  Grant  had  sent  very  few  troops  up  the 
river;  but  about  the  22d  had  seventeen  (17)  transports  of  troops  down. 
Others  had  preceded  these.  Reports  from  different  sources,  all  so  con- 
tradictory, that  no  opinion  of  the  enemy's  intentions  can  be  formed. 
The  officer  above  named,  says  that  the  Federals  destroyed  everything 
connected  with  cultivation  of  ground  between  Jackson  and  Big  Black 
river,  including  growing  crops. 

(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


Richmond,  July  31,  1863. 
To  General  J.  E.  Johnston,  Morton  t  Mississippi : 

Your  command  embraces  the  country  west  of  the  line  between 
Georgia  and  Alabama,  and  running  south  to  the  gulf,  as  before  Gene- 
ral Bragg's  Department  was  formed.  Its  western  limit  is  the  Missis- 
sippi river,  and  its  northern  boundary  the  Tennessee  river  and  Ken- 
tucky line. 

(Signed,)  S.  COOPER,  A.  £  I.  General. 

A.  &  I.  G.  Office,  Richmond,  January,  1864,  official  copy. 


Morton,  July  31,  IS63. 
Hon.  J.  A   Seddon,  Secretary  of  War : 

The  following  telegraph  (?)  is  forwarded  for  the  information  of  the 
War  Department: 


63 

"Mobile,  July  30,  1868. 
M  General  J.  E.  Johnston  : 

"  A  gentleman,  who  left  Vicksburg  on  Friday,  states  that  Grant  is 
still  in  Vicksburg.  Is  repairing  road  to  Jackson.  Expect  bridge 
over  Big  Black  to  be  ready  for  transportation  of  cars  in  about  thirty 
days  There  is  great  and  increasing  sickness  in  the  army,  and  their 
expectation  is  that  it  will  be  sixty  days  before  they  will  mote  to 
Jackson.  They  propose  to  go  to  Meridian,  to  Demopolis  and  to  Selma, 
and  then  invest  Mobile.  They  were  actively  organizing  negro  regi- 
ments, which  they  threw  across  into  Louisiana,  as  fast  as  organized. 
No  large  force  has  been  sent  up  the  river  Those  sent  were  of  Burn- 
side's  corps,  and  troops  whose  time  had  expired.  McPherson  in  com- 
mand at  Vicksburg.  Parks  at  Snyder's  Bluff.  Informant  is  person  of 
intelligence  and  veracity,  with  peculiar  opportunities  of  information. 
Another  officer,  just  in  from  New  Orleans  with  prisoners,  states  that 
Banks'  force  has  been  recently  increased  from  Grant,  and  that  they 
propose  soon  sending  one  portion  of  Banks'  army  over  into  Louisiana, 
and  another  twenty  thousand  strong  to  Pascagoula.  Grant  is  collecting 
immense  supplies  of  stores  «t  Vieksburg. 

"Dabney  H.  Maury, 
"  Major  General  commanding." 
(Signed,)  J.  E.  JOHNSTON. 


Morton,  August  20,  186$. 

S.  Cooper,  A.  &•  /.  General: 

General:  I  thank  you  for  your  letter  of  the  12th,  which  I  have 
just  received,  with  copies  of  so  much  of  special  orders  17G  and  184, 
as  define  the  limits  of  General  Bragg's  command,  and  your  telegram 
to  me  of  July  31st. 

These  papers  cannot  be  misunderstood.  As  my  apology  for  having 
troubled  you  more  than  once  on  this  subject,  I  respectfully  enclose 
copies  of  your  telegram  and  paragraph  vii.,  special  orders  176,  as  I 
received  them  orignally.  One  marred  by  the  operator ;  the  other 
without  the  important  line  following  the  name  "  West  Point." 
Most  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  E.  JOHNSTON,  General. 


r  r,  .      .  ,  Adjutant  and  Inspector  General's  Office,  > 

iExtract-]  Richmond,  1863.       \ 

SPECIAL  ORDERS, 
No.  176. 

VII.  The  limits  of  the  Department  of  Tennessee  will  embrace  the 


61 

country  now  included  in  the  Department  of  cast  Tennessee  and  west 
of  Blue  Ridge  mountains,  in  North  Carolina,  and  a  line  running 
eouth  to  the  Georgia  railroad,  thence   along  the  line  of  railroad  via 
Atlanta  to  West  Foint  and  down  that  stream  to  its  mouth. 
By  command  of  the  Secretary  of  War. 
"     (Signed,)  JOHN  WITHERS, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
(Official,) 
Benj.  S.  Ewell,  A.  A.  G. 


TELEGRAM. 

Richmond,  July  3i,  1863. 


General  J.  E.  Johnston 


Your  command  embraces  the  country  west  of  the  line  between 
Georgia  and  Alabama,  and  running  south  to  the  Gulf;  as,  therefore, 
General  Bragg's  Department  was  formed,  its  western  limit  is  the  Mis- 
sissippi river,  and  its  northern  boundary  the  Tennesse  river  and 
Kentucky  line. 

S.  COOPER, 
Adft.  and  Inspector  General. 
(Official,) 
Benj.  S.  Ewell,  A.  A.  G. 


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